Name: Marie Donaldson
Year: Sophomore
Major: Spanish, Pre-Med
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Claim to Fame: President of the Supplies for Dreams Chapter at Northwestern
What is Supplies for Dreams?
Supplies for Dreams is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is completely student-run. We work with Chicago Public Schools students through three different programs. First is Dream Drive which is a school supplies and backpack donation program. We also have Award a Field Trip where we get sponsors from NU student groups and businesses and corporations in Evanston to sponsor a field trip for a classroom of students who wouldn’t otherwise be able to go on a field trip. We also have a mentoring program. We pick mentors in Supplies for Dreams and they go once a week to schools in Chicago. They meet with the same kids every week.
What inspired you to run for President?
Last year I was a mentor for a quarter. I went down to Chicago every week and it was really awesome to see the immediate difference you can have working with these kids. They told me they were starting a chapter of Supplies for Dreams at Northwestern and I wanted to help create a greater presence of it on campus.
What events does Supplies for Dreams facilitate?
In February we had SFD 3v3, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Last quarter we had an event called Wildcat Workout which was sponsored by the Big 10 Network. We brought almost 200 of our students up to campus to do workshops and games that were led by student groups here. It was a lot of fun! We also gave the students a tour of campus to show them what college was like. On March 2nd, we’re bringing about 40 students up to campus to have a mock school day. There are professors that are going to give lectures and demonstrations on topics that will interest the kids. We’re also taking them to a Purple Crayon Players show.
What are your plans for the future of Supplies for Dreams as president?
We’re trying to create more opportunities for Northwestern students to get involved with Supplies for Dreams on campus. That’s our biggest goal right now. We’re also trying to get our name out there more and increase our campus presence.
What else are you involved with on campus?
I’m the philanthropy chair for my sorority; I work with fundraisers. I’m also a part of Cirque du NU and I’m doing Dance Marathon.
What’s something that a lot of people may not know about you?
I played the harp in high school.