For many of the Ignacio Volunteers headed to Belize over the Christmas holidays, fundraising plays a vital part in achieving their mission.

The trip to Belize costs $1,500 to attend, which is not a feasible price for many students. Loyola does not want this to inhibit any students from participating, so fundraisers are held in order to ensure that all interested parties have the opportunity to serve.

Individual and group fundraisers are held throughout the semester so that money can be raised for the trip.
T-shirt sales over the course of the semester are the largest and most profitable tactic for the Ignacio Volunteers’ fundraising. The group collectively decides on the design of the shirt and then all volunteers have the opportunity to sell them. This year they are offering t-shirts for $10 and tank tops for $12, with half of the proceeds going to the students.

Biology sophomore Lindsey Mixer spearheaded the design process.

“We wanted something that would look cool and represent Loyola and New Orleans, which is why I did the front of Marquette and the fleur de lis, a prime symbol of NOLA,” Mixer said.

Along with the t-shirt sales, the group recently had a fundraiser on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at Crêpes à la Cart, where 10 percent of the proceeds went to the group. There was a thrift shop held during the window on Oct. 30, and they have also sold Krispy Kreme donuts in the past.

Psychology senior Rodney Davis said that fundraising teaches students the importance of solidarity.
“It brings you and your team closer together so that when you do go on the trip everyone is a strong cohesive unit,” Davis said.

Mixer said that all of the volunteers support one another through their fundraising.

“We all work together, and if someone is behind, we are all behind,” Mixer said.

Biology junior Diana Nguyen has not found fundraising for Ignacio to be hard or stressful work and said that it has been a chance for the group to bond.

Individuals are encouraged to do their own fundraising towards the goal. Everyone has a letter and brochure that they send to family members, friends and businesses about the trip, which asks them to help by donating.
Mass communication sophomore Edwin Unzalu has been reaching out to donors and convincing people to invest in the mission.
“The more doors you knock on, the better chance you have,” Unzalu said.
Criminal justice senior Kayla Mitchell has been emailing politicians, city councilmen, alumni, her high school and the school board asking for donations.

“It’s hard to know who’s socially acceptable to ask,” Mitchell said.

In her opinion, this is what makes individual fundraising difficult, whereas the challenge with group fundraising is the division of profits among a group of people.

The group’s last fundraising event took place on Saturday, Nov. 22. The volunteers were out on the residential quad for a late-night cookout. Plates with hamburgers or hotdogs and chips were sold for $5. This was the group’s final push for fundraising before they depart for Belize on Dec. 26.