MarthaEngel

Friday in the business office looks a little different during the month of September. That day is collection and counting day for Walk-A-Thon, and the business team works around the clock to count and catalog the money brought in. 

Mrs. Shari Reynolds, director of tuition assistance, said, “We go homeroom by homeroom, envelope by envelope, and count the money,” each Friday. In past years, “we could get $20-60,000 in a day,” she said, but that number has dropped dramatically since COVID and online donations. 

“I would guess that maybe 60-75% comes in online,” Reynolds said, but cash donations and collection Fridays are still important to the goal. 

“Fridays are really crazy, counting cash,” said Mrs. Julie Wilson, the assistant manager of the business office. 

This year was her first year involved with Walk-A-Thon. She checks all the cash from collection days and recounts all of it. Her job is to “make sure all the numbers are correct,” Wilson said. The role of the business office is crucial: “I know what the end goal is, and if our numbers aren’t right, that can affect the outcome for the girls,” she said. 

Through their role counting money, the business office truly sees the impact of the students’ work. “I am amazed at how well everybody works together to get their goals,” Wilson said. 

“Every dollar makes a difference,” Reynolds said. “I have seen classes lose a ranking by $20.” When each student brings what they can, it brings the school a little closer to the end goal, and “it definitely matters,” Reynolds said. 

“I really appreciate it,” Reynolds said. “I appreciate that you girls go out there. You value the education you get at Marian enough to say, ‘I’m going to ask some people to help support my school,’” she said. 

“I can’t say in my years of accounting ever having such pleasure watching the ladies doing their fundraser with so much creativity,” Wilson said.  

While Walk-A-Thon is run by the students, it couldn’t be done without the business office.