SMU’s Inter-Community Experience Center (ICE) has been recognized for its tutoring, mentoring and assistance to underprivileged children in the Dallas community. The House, founded by SMU students, does not have an operating budget from the university and has previously been forced to rely on individual donations until the forming of the new ICE House philanthropy committee.
ICE Olympics philanthropy member and SMU senior Elizabeth Chappell expressed the extreme need for funding for the house.
“It is so important to raise money for the kids in this program,” Chappell said. “Before this past year the ICE house did not have a security system or a driveway, and the previous money raised has allowed them to get both of these items.”
To raise money for further items for the house, on Saturday the philanthropy committee will present the first annual ICE Olympics, which will include a capture the flag tournament on SMU’s Intramural field. The event will begin at 1 p.m. and will include a silent auction.
The ICE House philanthropy committee from Bruce Levy’s Troubled Youth Cultural Formations class has planned and organized the event.
Senior committee member Monica Porter expressed her gratitude for the hard work the entire committee has put into ensuring the success of the event.
“Our class has put in a lot of hours this semester for these kids,” Porter said. “Every week students in our Troubled Youth class tutor, mentor and bond with underprivileged kids in the Dallas community. ICE House is a wonderful, established organization and we want this to be successful because we know exactly who this money is going to benefit.”
The ICE Olympics will entail a capture the flag tournament with the ICE House kids paired with SMU students. Not only will this raise money for the house, but it will allow a bond to form between the students and the children while also emphasizing the importance of further education.
“Our hopes are that this event will raise money for the House,” committee member Maggie Johnson said. “But it is also such an important event for the ICE House children, because for most of them it is their first time on a college campus.”
The silent auction portion of the day will include gift certificates to Dallas clothing boutiques and restaurants, jewelry and VIP passes to Magnolia Theater.
“I am hoping that the auction as well as the event raises a significant amount of money for the ICE House,” silent auction chair and senior Jesslyn Apple said. The house has such a need for funding that these events will hopefully give the ICE House children the creative programming and welcoming atmosphere that they so deserve.”
Those wishing to make a donation, volunteer or attend the ICE Olympics can contact Elizabeth Chappell at [email protected].
