I suppose it’s human nature to mold people into a preconceived category or stereotype. But sometimes, when you’re lucky, you meet someone who is too complex to fit any grouping at all. For me, that was true of a 21-year-old Visual Communication Design major at Virginia Tech.
Becca Grogan seems to be a jack of all trades – she likes creating art, gardening, and scaling mountains – and although those things make her incredibly awesome, her dedication to #zeroLRA makes her the most awesome of all.
Becca Grogan heard about Invisible Children at a film screening held at Virginia Tech and immediately after the screening (like, the night of) she took her first step towards ending LRA atrocities by signing up to be a monthly donor.
It was important to Becca to become a Fourth Estate member and donate monthly because, “It’s the knowledge that I’m choosing to put forth a consistent effort to bring justice to the LRA and LRA-affected areas. Like the wise words of Gary Haugen, ‘The world needs an example of what it means not to give up.’”
Her activism began there. She later participated in our Frontline campaign (Fall, 2011) and MOVE:DC, attended our 2013 Fourth Estate Leadership Summit, joined the Invisible Children club at Virginia Tech and is even leading the club as co-president this year. Becca says, “It’s so fulfilling to be part of such a close-knit team. I’ve made friends I’ll have for the rest of my life and it’s so wonderful to be around people who see the world in the same light that I do.”
The Virginia Tech IC club with Jason Russell (center)
Multiple elements of running this unstoppable team rank highly for Becca, but her favorite of all: “Coming up with ridiculous fundraising ideas for #zeroLRA.”
Invisible Children kicked off our newest campaign this past Tuesday, and we are encouraging people to get as creative as possible with their efforts! As a team, Becca’s IC club has done bake sales, an art grab bag raffle, and even considered carrying students to classes across campus on a plastic lounge chair.
Becca says, “It’s so much fun thinking of the possibilities, and seeing the reactions of people who are inspired by the campaign. There’s nothing more fulfilling.”
Perhaps the most creative and bizarre initiative of them all was established by the clubs co-president, Sean Wiedbusch, who began a “Dares for Donations” fundraiser and is completing a dare for every $20 dollars he raises for #zeroLRA. His first dare was to take a shot of hot sauce, to which he successfully completed.
Becca laughs, “We revel in our ridiculousness.”
But Becca’s personal fundraising strategy that really caught our eye was her Etsy page, where she sells items she’s made such as wooden signs, ceramics, pottery, and paintings. Through Etsy, Becca was able to use her creativity and talent to raise enough money to attend our Fourth Estate Leadership Summit (as well as donate to other attendees) and now she will be dedicating all of the proceeds to our fall campaign.
Ceramic bowl handcrafted by Becca
Becca adds, “I have to give them something in return and it’s so great to see their reactions to a painting, or a sign, or a mug I’ve made…especially when it’s a custom order. I call myself a creator – but I create more than just ‘things.’ I strive to create ideas and emotions and passion.”
The Virginia Tech IC club has happily accepted a challenge of $10,000 as their fundraising goal. Becca says, “It was a goal for Sean and I to get Invisible Children at Virginia Tech on a plaque at the HF Radio Headquarters. We want to have our name up there not as individuals, but as a team.”
Becca, your team has continuously impressed us, and we don’t doubt for a second that you will surpass your #zeroLRA fundraising goals.
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