Money raised at Battle of the Valleys will go to new children's fund

Grand Valley State University and Saginaw Valley State University will compete in the 12th annual Battle of the Valleys from November 9-15 to raise the most donations for a selected organization. 

This year, Grand Valley will raise donations for The Grand Valley Children’s Fund, a fund established to assist Grand Valley students and local non-profits who work with children. 

The idea for the fund came from a meeting with student leaders after last year’s BOTV, said Student Senate President Andrew Plague. 

“We wanted to create an ongoing fund that is funded by students for students and supports local organizations, which is where we can make the biggest impact,” Plague said. “An example is if a student is student teaching at a local school and notices that many of the students don’t have mittens, he or she can apply for a grant from the Children’s Fund. It’s purpose to help children in a variety of ways.”

Plague said the grant process includes an application that is reviewed by a committee, which includes students, Student Senators and staff members, then is voted on. 

The university that raises the most money will be announced at halftime during the Grand Valley vs. Saginaw Valley football game November 15 at University Center in Saginaw. 

A variety of events will take place throughout the week at Grand Valley, including a weeklong, $10 BOTV T-shirt sale, $5 scavenger hunt and Student Organization Challenge.

Campus offices and departments can donate by preordering donuts. Learn more and order at www.gvsu.edu/battleofthevalleys.

• Monday, November 10, 7 p.m., Kirkhof Center: A Capella Competition

• Tuesday, November 11, 9 p.m., Kirkhof Center: GV’s Got Talent and Mystery Box Auction, $1 per person

• Wednesday, November 12, 7 p.m., Kirkhof Center: Bingo, $1 to participate

• Thursday, November 13, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Kirkhof Center lobby: Mystery Box Sale, $5 each

• Friday, November 14, 1 p.m., Kirkhof Center lounge: UBS Fashion Show, $1 raffle tickets

Since Battle of the Valleys began in 2003, Grand Valley and Saginaw Valley have raised more than $390,000 in support of organizations like the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Student Advancement Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of Saginaw County, United Way and S.P.O.R.T.S. (Students Providing Opportunities and Recreation Through Sports).