The Competition - The Race is Over!
After a full year of aggressive fundraising, we're proud to finally announce the winners of the trip to South Korea. 2011 has been a record year for LiNK Chapters, bringing new incentives, campaigns, creative ideas, and almost $85,000 raised for the rescue of refugees. Thanks to the work of chapters, LiNK will be able to fund 34 refugees' journeys into freedom.
Throughout the course of the year, we've seen many chapters shine, but - thanks to their dedication and their unique fundraising strategies - these three will be the the lucky few to send two of their members to South Korea with LiNK.
The Race is On Winners:
University of Texas at Austin
First to 5K winner
$6051 Raised
During the Spring 2011 semester, the UT Austin Chapter fundraised in unique ways - wristband and t-shirt sales, basketball tournaments, panhandling, and (doing what has become a Texas specialty) selling fried Oreos. Using careful planning and the expertise of all members, LiNK Texas was able to become the first chapter to reach $5,000 during Spring 2011 and secured the first spot on the trip to South Korea. The fundraising continues, however, and UT has finished the semester in a close third place on the leaderboard.
University of California, Los Angeles
Top Fundraiser of 2011
$7500 Raised
As a new chapter, it's exciting to see UCLA on top! Fall 2011 has been an exciting semester for UCLA LiNK, and we've watched them celebrate many small victories (like getting recognized as a student organization on campus, and having regular general body meetings for the first time). This chapter has used their connections to solicit large donations from private donors, and handed in a check for $5,000 in mid-December. Thanks to LiNK's matching campaign, another $2,500 wad donated on behalf of LiNK at UCLA, and they are finishing out the year with $7,500 raised - enough to fund the rescue of three refugees.
Glen A Wilson High School
2nd Place fundraiser
$6472 Raised
From the get-go, Wilson LiNK has had their eyes on the prize - the trip to South Korea. We've dubbed the Glen A chapter as being "LiNK-crazy," thanks to their willingness to get involved with everything LiNK. From their first Nomad screening with hundreds of students in attendance, to the handful of members who made it into "The Race is On" chapter video, we've seen how dedicated Wilson LiNK can be. And now, their tireless passion has paid off! Yard sales, lunch sales, greeting card sales, and COUNTLESS candy sales have all added up, allowing Wilson LiNK to rescue two refugees. With over $6,400 raised, Wilson LiNK comes in as the 2nd biggest fundraiser of 2011 and wins two tickets on the trip to South Korea.
Thank you to all chapters for making 2011 a huge success!