Students falling into 20 gallons of Chartwells chocolate pudding this afternoon at the Marriott Library plaza will translate into money for the Ronald McDonald House.
A total of $520 has been raised to help fund the “house that love built” in the form of $40 registrations fee for eight-member teams to participate in a tug-of-war contest.
The concept of pulling a rope in two separate directions paradoxically fits the title of the event, “Pulling for Unity,” which was organized by Alicia Taase, director of campus relations for the Associated Students of the University of Utah.
The house is a “home away from home” for families of children receiving medical treatment in Salt Lake City, who live at least 50 miles away.
Cathy Tafoya, development director of the Ronald McDonald House, said families travel from afar to be near their children who are in Utah hospitals for various reasons. Some are here because the rural towns they come from don’t have the same services that Salt Lake hospitals provide. Others are here for the quality of medical treatment.
Though the actual cost to the house for a family to stay one night is $50, family members can sleep over and use the amenities for $10 a night. That is much cheaper than what a hotel would charge, according to Tafoya.
The house will use the tug-of war money raised by the teams to help operate their two Salt Lake locations.
According to Tafoya, the house is completely self funded. Contrary to popular belief, the house receives no money from the fast-food corporation.
“It’s the community that supports us, and that’s why we’re so grateful to the U for selecting us as beneficiaries,” Tafoya said.
In organizing the competition, Taase said she was “trying to think of something fun and helpful to someone else at the same time.”
The U of U Old Folks (Administration), the Flying Penguins (ASUU communications board) and the Frosh Squad (Freshman Council) will battle against one another and 10 other teams for a sizeable trophy, along with other gifts and prizes donated by local businesses.
According to Taase, the contest will be messy.
“Teams have to fall in the pudding to lose,” she said.
