The “Beads for Needs” event hosted by WVU PRSSA, The Morgantown Shrine Club and Mountaineer Maniacs, will take place on Sunday, Nov. 17 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Bennett Tower Blue and Gold Room.
Student organizations will gather to spend time making bracelets to sell on campus. Each bracelet will be sold for $3, and all of the proceeds will be donated to the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children. The hosts encourage all student and Greek organizations to take part in this event and give back to the community. Students looking to fill community service hours can use this event as an opportunity to earn iServe volunteer hours. The sign up is located on the iServe website.
The entire project was created and inspired by Emily Mellish, a 7–year–old girl who was born with Spina Bifida and Scoliosis. These conditions gave her severe curvature of the spine and caused one of her legs to be 8 inches shorter than the other. These conditions made it nearly impossible for Emily to walk. Fortunately, Emily entered Shriner’s Hospital for Children and has received help that has changed her life remarkably.
Emily wanted to do something to give back to the people who had given her so much, so she began making and selling bracelets and donating all of her profits to Shriners. Students who attend WVU’s Beads for Needs event will have the chance to meet and gain insight from Emily. She will discuss how Shriner’s has impacted her life, and how influential people can be when they come together for such a great cause.