Foraging in the Forest: Student Projects at Drew

By: Nina Campli, Assistant Editor of Student Life and Arts Photographer: Adam Oppegaard

Just before Easter, and Passover, on Thursday, March 29, Adam Oppegaard (’19) held a Paint Night Fundraiser in Crawford Hall in the EC. Overall, around 30 people attended the event, each of them donating $5 but with the help of other generous donations, Oppegaard managed to raise $406 in total. The proceeds from the event went to Angelina’s Army. Oppegaard is a distant relation of eight year old Angelina, who has been battling neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer. Recently Sandy, her father, has been diagnosed with ALS, a terminal motor neuron disease. Oppegaard stated, “I wanted to hold this event because this family has had a lot of hardship throughout the years with Angelina’s illness, and now with Sandy’s diagnosis of ALS they are going to need all the help they can get.”

Oppegaard said that the event was relatively easy to put together and mentioned that there were plenty of people and organizations who were willing to help out. RHA endorsed the event, UPB donated the paint supplies and Music House supplied an amazing playlist. Lynne Delade, Associate Director of Creative Services for the Communications department (and generous supplier of photos to the Acorn), donated all the canvas for the event as well. Christian Alvarado (‘19) volunteered to lead the paint night. Oppegaard said, “The night was a huge success! Christian led us in painting a flamingo in a Hawaiian shirt, but many people took their creativity to the next level and painted everything from a tree to dogs! It was great.” Kyle Majid (’19) painted palm trees in behind his flamingo and added in “Escape to Margaritaville.” Majid said, “The event was nice, actually it was very relaxing and a good destressor.” Joy Brooks (’19) agreed, saying, “The Paint Night was really fun and a great way to destress.” She continued, “Plus, the funds went to a good cause.”

To learn more about Angelina’s Army and Angelina’s battle with cancer you can follow her story on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AngelinasArmy/.