Fourth Annual ‘Blue Out’ Set For Tomorrow
Tomorrow’s football game will be the last time the 2014 Penn State seniors take the field at Beaver Stadium. It also happens to be the fourth annual Blue Out game to raise awareness for child sexual abuse, organized by the student organization One Heart PSU.
Fans are encouraged to wear blue to show support for the cause. Founded in 2011, the Blue Out game has raised more than $152,000 from merchandise sales for various organizations working to stop child sexual abuse.
“Even though [Penn State has] gotten so much negative pushback from society [for Sandusky], I continue to be involved because I know we are making a difference in people’s lives,” said One Heart President Cristina Fernandez. “It is even more critical that this tradition continues with a strong passion for doing the right thing.”
The Blue Out game was started by graduate students Stuart Shapiro and Laura March, who have since graduated. After the first Blue Out, Shapiro said she was “aiming for it to become an annual event like THON as a way to never forget our continuous responsibility to make our communities better.”
It’s safe to say the event has outlived its founders, which is a huge step for any student organization.
This year’s proceeds will go toward Prevent Child Abuse Pennsylvania. Official shirts are available at several downtown retailers and look like this:
So, if you’re coming back early for the game (of course you’re coming back, right?), support the cause and throw on a blue shirt. If you buy one of the official shirts, you can participate in the “Selfie For Support” social media challenge. Per One Heart: “Participants are asked to take a picture of themselves in their new merchandise and post it to social media with the hash tag to help raise awareness for the cause. The picture should be posted on social media with the hashtag #SelfieForSupport and @BlueOut. The top most creative and funny selfie will win a $50 gift card to Chipotle and second place winner will win a $20 gift card to Chipotle.”
A $15 shirt (or $25 sweatshirt) for a chance to win $50 worth of Chipotle, with all proceeds going to a Pennsylvania charity? Sounds like a win-win-win to me.
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