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Extra change goes a long way for children
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by Cindy Abole
Public Relations
Everybody’s got some. Just poke either hand into your pants pockets,
the bottom of a purse, the wedge between the sofa cushions, the desk
drawer tray, and one’s bound to find a couple of loose pennies,
nickels, dimes and quarters.
 Microbiology
and Immunology's Melissa Jacob, right, and Ashley Hall student Haley
Lowell collect change for the Change Bandits Program.
That little bit of extra change recently went a long way in supporting
the MUSC Children’s Hospital. As part of the Jan. 29-31 Children’s
Hospital Cares for Kids Radiothon, people dug deep as they handed over
their spare change and cash that amounted to $30,000 in contributions
through Children’s Hospital Change Bandits Program. This year’s effort
surpassed its original goal by more than $20,000, and raised funds that
will contribute to improving the lives of children across the
Lowcountry.
Melissa Jacob, an administrative assistant in the Department of
Microbiology and Immunology, has played an active role in raising money
for the campaign. Jacob first heard about the campaign and radiothon
via one of the sponsoring radio stations. She contacted MUSC Children’s
Hospital Fund’s Sara Connie to get involved.
Jacob, 41, works three jobs, takes online classes and is a mom to two
teenagers. With little time and tight purse strings, she couldn’t
afford to make a cash contribution. Instead, she chose to contribute
her time and effort to the cause. Positioning herself in the Horseshoe
area during her lunch hour and after work, at both CARTA bus stops on
Calhoun Street and the MUSC bus stop on Jonathan Lucas Street, Jacob
collected change from passing donors. She enlisted the help of FedEx
(she works with FedEx part-time), which helped her create promotion
posters featuring the “Penny Cowboy,” a character she created to
support Change Bandits donations.
Not long after committing to this effort, Jacob enlisted the help of
Haley Lowell, a first grade student at Ashley Hall School. The
7-year-old also is the granddaughter of Gabriel Virella, M.D., Ph.D.,
professor of microbiology and immunology, and Maria Lopez-Virella,
M.D., Ph.D., professor of medicine and pathology, Division of
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Medical Genetics. Haley’s mother, Isabell
Virella-Lowell, M.D., Ph.D., a pediatric pulmonologist, works in
the Department of Pediatrics.
Haley wanted to do something positive on behalf of children. So
as a team, Jacob and Haley enlisted in the Change Bandits effort. In
mid-January, they solicited donations from employees and students at
the CARTA and MUSC buses. One afternoon, Haley collected $58.72 in
loose change within 30 minutes.
The Change Bandits was featured in the MUSC Children’s Hospital’s Cares
for Kids Radiothon sponsored by 103.5 WEZL and Y102.5. People also
could bring in their change and cash to any South Carolina Federal
Credit Union branch to help support the campaign. Donors celebrated
their successful efforts at the Jan. 31 Bandit Bash held at the Visitor
Center Bus Shed.
“Melissa is a true inspiration and example of how one person can make
such a difference,” said Sara Connie, associate director of special
events, MUSC Children’s Hospital Fund. “By standing out in cold weather
for a week, she was able to raise more than $600 in change for the MUSC
Children’s Hospital Fund. She wanted nothing more than to give back.”
“I’m totally committed to this effort,” said Jacob, who had previously
helped with a fundraiser for Golisano Children’s Hospital of the
University of Rochester Medical Center and her hometown. “It was easy
to find the time to help the children.”
Friday, Feb. 13, 2009
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