Shuffle raises $44,000 plus

By Karen Herland

“It’s clear that Concordia is a community that pulls together,” President Claude Lajeunesse told the more than 500 Shufflers who had just walked from the Sir George to the Loyola Campus.

“Of course, six and a half kilometers is easy. I got here first and watched you all come in,” he joked.

So far the 16th edition of the annual walkathon, held Sept. 30, has raised more than $44,000. The final tally will include matching pledges from deans, organizers and unions.

Staff, faculty, students and alumni poured onto the grounds in front of the AD Building in bright T-shirts with balloons. The weather was picture perfect.

Concordia alumnus and CJAD radio personality Andrew Carter presided over drawings for just over 100 raffle prizes, almost 40 per cent more prizes than last year.

This was the first year tickets were sold for a mystery prize, which turned out to be a Raleigh bicycle. That prize alone raised $500 and will likely become a Shuffle feature.

Mona Senecal, receptionist at the John Molson School of Business, was “ecstatic” to win the bicycle and she immediately donated it for use in the Colours of Concordia Project. She has been instrumental in establishing this university-wide award for students “doing community work which brings communities together.”

Funds for the $1,000 award were raised through her efforts coordinating participation in the Tour de l’île and the Teddy Bear Adoption campaign.

Senecal is hoping to raise $20,000 in the next three years in order to make Colours of Concordia an endowment. She is already one quarter of the way there.

Catherine Bissonnette, of the Bookstore, was awarded the grand prize of a week for two at any North American Club Med. However, there were plenty more things — gift certificates, scanners, digital cameras, books and other goodies.

Jang Kwon, of IITS, was one of dozens of winners eager to pick up a prize. He was pleased to get a Concordia fleece jacket, his second prize in 13 years of Shuffling.

This year’s spirit award went to Lise Tavares, who was clearly overcome when she heard the news.

The princesses of Les p’tits profs, the daycare centre, resplendent in sashes and tiaras, easily won the Most Flamboyant Shuffler prize.

Kathy Assayag, Vice-President Advancement and Alumni Relations, announced the early success of Concordia’s brand new Adopt-a-Student, Leave a Legacy campaign that “tells everybody that every gift to the university counts. It’s not just money, it’s also moral support.”

So far, some 240 students have been adopted at the rate of $2,500 a year for three years.

Shuffle chair Murray Sang thanked everyone who had contributed to the lively, successful event, and then everyone helped themselves to refreshments at the buffet tables.