Financial Aid staff puts heart into helping students

Valentine’s Day is made even sweeter each year for student employees in the Office of Student Financial Aid. The entire staff pitches in to hold a scholarship bake sale and raffle to help support their education. The festive table in the Administration Building Feb. 14 was loaded with treats, raffle prizes and clever decorations.

Seeing student need daily in their work inspires the staff to do something tangible and to raise awareness.

“We typically raise between $300 and $500,” said organizer Tina Coulter. “Even if it helps them buy books, that’s one less expense for them.”

The long-running annual event is highly anticipated by employees in the building, thanks to the baked goods and the chance to win one of the many raffle prizes created and donated by the financial aid staff. Each year, Jerry Ameling’s peanut butter chocolate chip cookies are among the most popular items, as is Cindy Schnitz’s caramel popcorn — “We can never keep it on hand it long,” Dawn Vollmar said. Vollmar makes Oreo pops and chocolate-covered pretzels. For the raffle, Coulter created sets of handmade greeting cards, Elizabeth LeMaster contributed a gift bag of cosmetic and skin care products, and there was BGSU spirit wear, other treats, and Valentine-themed prizes. A “hot item,” Coulter said, was a giant movie-themed tub holding a DVD and snacks.

The Valentine’s Day event is one inspiring example of how the BGSU “family” supports one another and the yearly Campus Campaign, which raises money for scholarships and programs.