By Mitch Holt, Staff Writer

Several students are selling Val-O-Grams, singing telegrams, this week for Valentine’s Day to raise money for Essence of Ebony’s Spring Break Campaign.

Shannon Bailey, senior management major from Corsicana, Remel Derrick, senior music major from Dallas, and Thurmond Metters, senior psychology major from Houston, members of the student singing troupe called The Group, will be the singers delivering the Val-O-Grams. Students can make orders through Friday at the Campus Center ticket windows, and the actual deliveries will be made throughout the day Monday.

Students who order a Val-O-Gram not only are sending a love song to a friend. Patrons are also furthering Essence of Ebony’s spring break mission effort, said Camile Jackson senior family studies major from Abilene and the leader of the fund-raiser.

“The money raised will sponsor Essence of Ebony’s Spring Break Campaign to Oklahoma City,” Jackson said.

Jackson said the effort is important because the money is going toward a mission trip to the inner city of Oklahoma City. If enough money is raised for the trip, the members of Essence of Ebony will be working with the youth of the city and taking part in a large effort to build a sports complex for the area. The main targets of the desired mission effort are single mothers, troubled youth and rough areas of town, Jackson said.

“We are about halfway to our goal, and we would probably need about 100 students to participate for us to reach our goal,” Jackson said.

It costs $4 to send a Valentine’s Day card in the form of song. Students can choose from a list of songs or request a special song if Bailey, Derrick or Metters know it.

Approximately twelve other students are involved in the fund-raiser.

“This is a great chance to express love to your special someone and help students go on a Spring Break Campaign,” Jackson said.