USU student events held to raise money for Polynesian family

students get involved in on-site volunteer work and service projects on campus.

The Pauni family of Logan is receiving a brand new house after applying to be on ABC’s reality television show. Events will be held the beginning of the week to raise money for the Pauni family and children in Tonga, their native country.

Erin Didericksen, a senior and member of one of the public relations teams, has helped in the planning of the events and said she has enjoyed the planning and involvement she has had.

“We really encourage students to help, even if it is not on-site, there are other ways to be involved, like the service project,” Didericksen said. “Whether you have 30 minutes or three hours, just come and help.”

Sign-ups for on-site volunteer work will be held Monday in the Taggart Student Center. A table will be in front of the bookstore at 8 a.m. There are 110 available spots for students.

Sororities and fraternities, ASUSU, the Student Alumni Association, Public Relations Students Society of America, the Social Work Honor Society and the A-Team will have club members involved in work at the Pauni home.

“We don’t want to give students the impression they will be pounding nails, because they won’t be,” Didericksen said. “They will be running around basically doing things the crew needs done but they can’t do themselves.

Students who sign up on Monday will work during as 22-hour period on Tuesday.

Jon Perry, a senior who also helped coordinate the week’s events, said Tuesday is USU Service Day.

Lunch and a concert will be held on the TSC Patio at 11:30 a.m. Didericksen said she would encourage students to wear Aggie Blue.

Also on Tuesday, a service project for children in Tonga will be held in the International and Sunburst Lounge of the TSC. Didericksen said students can come color and assemble letter books for schools in Tonga, which begins at 2 p.m.

Wednesday is Polynesian Day. A luau/benefit concert will be held in the Spectrum on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Students can enter with a small donation.

“Students can get in with a dollar or $50, whatever they can give,” Didericksen said.

The benefit concert will feature Isaac Hayden, Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band and Polynesian dancers.

A pre-party will also be held at 5 p.m.

Throughout the week, boxes will be placed in different building around campus in which students can donate summer clothing, Didericksen said. Money donations can also be made.

“If you look at this family, they are really deserving and really lively. I think this is good karma for Cache Valley. It will pull us all together and make us stronger and there is a lot of power in that,” Perry said.

Whitney Wilkinson, of USU’s public relations and marketing, said she has enjoyed witnessing the interaction between students and members of ABC’s production team.

“This really speaks to Utah State’s tradition of outreach, access and service,” Wilkinson said. “I think students will be excited to give back and help because it’s their tradition of service and it’s part of being an Aggie.

Wilkinson said she believes there will be high student turn out because USU students are caring and also because the events have been designed by students, for students.

Wilkinson said, “Even though it is for a class, they haven’t been doing it for the grade. Their motivation has been for the family. It’s all for the good of the family. The public relations students have done all of this with good motivation and Utah State students will do the same.”

-ariek@cc.usu.edu