More than $5,000 was raised for a local nonprofit through an annual event hosted by one of OUWB’s most active student organizations.
The OUWB Pediatric Interest Group (PIG) tallied $5,060 through events leading up to and including its annual PIG Roast. All the money goes to Care House of Oakland County.
The PIG Roast features various skits, both live and pre-recorded, with several faculty members participating. A volleyball fundraiser, silent auction, and pie-throwing event are held prior to the roast and contributed to the total amount raised.
Olivia McNelly, M2, coordinated the event.
“The goal I set was $5,000 and we ended up raising $5,060 so that was really, really great,” she said. “It means so much knowing what Care House does and what they stand for. They’re helping so many children … and every single penny we raised is going straight to them.”
According to its website, Care House aims “to be a leading resource in the prevention of child abuse and neglect, and the protection of children through advocacy, education, intervention, research, training, and treatment, in collaboration with the community. Our vision is to impact the safety of every child in Oakland County through intervention, prevention and treatment.”
Chad Ozias, director, Philanthropy, Care House, attended the event. He said he believes the partnership between the student interest group and Care House extends to almost the beginning of the school. Ozias also noted the importance of such partnerships.
“The more events that we can have where we’re not the ones putting them on really extend our ability to fundraise,” he said prior to the roast. “Events like this also help us raise awareness of Care House in the community.”
Planning the roast begins not long after the start of the school year.
There are committees dedicated to finance, performance, publicity, and technical operations. (Sponsors this year were: Barre3 Rochester Hills; SkyZone; The Office Coffee Shop; Red Lotus Yoga; Premier Pet Supply; Beyond Juicery and Eatery; Painting with a Twist; Olgas Kitchen; La Fleur Cupcakes; Planet Rock; Joe Muer Seafood; Starbucks; Chick-fil-a; Bakehouse 46; Dunkin Donuts; Cold Stone Creamery; Royal Oak Golf Center; and Trader Joes.)
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From left, FMS faculty members Abe Brummett, Ph.D., |
During the roast, there were plenty of laughs.
For example, a group of faculty members played against a group of students in OUWB Family Feud. McNelly said it means a lot to have faculty members involved.
“It really bonds us together,” she said. “You get to see that they have this silly side to them and that they can laugh with us and have fun.”
Several students participated in OUWB Jeopardy. Other skits were Dad Jokes, Lecture Bingo, and a special video featuring students and faculty who regularly meet to play volleyball.
Hosts for the event were M1 Wasey Rehman and M2 Jenna Meri.
Meri said she wanted to do it because she felt it would be fun and memorable.
“The best part of med school are the times you have with your friends,” she said. “Obviously, it’s very important to be serious about your studies, but I think the times that bring us closer together are the times we’re not taking things super seriously …we’re just doing things for us and for fun.”
Rehman said he appreciated the opportunity to look at all of the personalities of the school and make it comedic for everyone to enjoy.
“Being the middleman for that was a privilege,” he said. “There are certain events that are so pronounced, at least for me, that you will always look back at with fond memories. This year’s PIG Roast was one of those moments.”
The two hosts also said they believe the event went well.
“I felt like people really liked it … I got some good feedback,” said Meri. “I was hoping some of the jokes didn’t go to far, but I had a blast and felt like everybody who attended had good things to say.”
For more information, contact Andrew Dietderich, senior marketing specialist, OUWB, at [email protected].
To request an interview, visit the OUWB Communications & Marketing webpage.
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