Wishing Well will begin flooding campus after some recent changes.
The ACU chapter of the non-profit has transformed their leadership structure and increased membership 50%.
Revamping is the focal point of Wishing Well this year, according to director Jada Yarbrough, senior accounting and financial management major from Tuscola.
“Rather than having officers, we have set up committees for each area of our organization,” Yarbrough said.
This change of organization is result of last year’s experiences.
“We realized that, last year, students had fantastic ideas, but because we didn’t have the proper leadership in place, it was difficult to make all these ideas reality,” Yarbrough said. “This year, we can take an idea, make it happen, and motivate students when they see their ideas become reality.”
ACU graduate (’10) and former Wishing Well campus director Ben Fulfer, now national Wishing Well executive director, sparked sophomore Matt Varner’s interest in the campus chapter last year.
Varner, graphic design major from Abilene, currently serves on the event committee for Wishing Well.
“Wishing Well is all about getting people to use their talents, creativity and ideas in a way they can raise money and do something good,” Varner said.
Varner’s roles include guiding those with ideas, giving people the right numbers, overseeing events and, his personal favorite, booking bands for concerts.
Last year, about 15 people attended Wishing Well chapel each Thursday, according to Varner. Numbers are on the rise, though, and 30 to 35 people now attend each week.
Co-director Sarah Fatheree, junior advertising and public relations major from Wethersfield, Conn., anxiously awaits this year’s development.
“It’s just so exciting to see our students from all backgrounds come together as the body of Christ to use their talents to give life to those without a voice,” Fatheree said.
Wishing Well will be selling t-shirts and bracelets raising awareness at a concert featuring Amy Stroup on November 12 at Monk’s Coffee Shop. Stroup’s music has been featured on television shows such as One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl.
A night of slam poetry will occur on November 17 at Edwards Dorm. Judges will award a prize to the best poem. There also will be a special performance from MAdouble. Hot beverages and baked goods will be served.
Wishing Well is a non-profit organization designed to bring clean water to Africa. The organization raises money to build wells to fight poverty and disease. “Whether you’re passionate about art, music, sports, business or even math, there is no limitation to what can be done in Wishing Well,” said Fatheree. “It’s through Wishing Well that students are able to see their own world-shaping potential and be the change they wish to see in the world.”
