Elon University senior Jana Murdock collected more than $10,000 this spring for Kopper Top Life Learning Center in Liberty, N.C., through a fundraising project that will provide revenue to the Triad nonprofit for years to come.
The anthropology major first started volunteering at the nonprofit therapeutic horseback riding center during her freshman year as part of an Academic Service-Learning course. She soon was selected as the Leader in Collaborative Service representative between Kopper Top the Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement.
Through the Kernodle Center, Murdock’s position and six others are funded through the Charles A. Frueauff Foundation to provide a student volunteer coordinator position to local partnering agencies needing support. Murdock held this position for three years, with a slight interruption for her study abroad experience.
During her final semester, Murdock planned and implemented a fundraising project to start an endowment for Kopper Top. The project was conceived as a “thank you” to Kopper Top executive director Deborah Meridith and her organization. Through a letter-writing campaign to businesses and local leaders, profit-sharing with local restaurants, and grants and scholarships, Murdock raised $10,800.79.
A surprise presentation was made to Meridith on May 7 as part of Kopper Top’s annual Derby Day festivities. More than 300 board members, community members, families and other Elon students were at the presentation where Murdock shared her appreciation for the meaningful experiences Kopper Top had afforded her.
– Article submitted by Tammy Cobb, Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement