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Williston State and Biz-Tech Partner for Children’s Miracle Network Charity
Posted: Dec 20 2013
WILLISTON, N.D. - Williston State College and the student Business and Technology Club (Biz-Tech) came together on Friday, November 15 to be part of the annual "Extra Life" charity event for Children's Miracle Network. The event is a 24-hour pledge-a-thon where participants play games, ranging from video games to board games, card games, or even mobile games in an ongoing effort to raise money for CMN hospitals. The original event was scheduled for the first weekend of November, and during that time has already raised $3.5 million collectively for CMN hospitals.
Participants have the option of signing up as individuals or teams and can elect to have all of their proceeds go to a CMN hospital in their state. The WSC Biz-Tech team elected to donate all of the raised money to Sanford Children's Hospital in Fargo, making sure that all of the donations stay in state to help children in need of care.
Staff members Tony Freed and Ryan Wellander represented WSC, and WSC's Biz-Tech Club - comprised of business and information technology students - came out in full numbers to lend support to the cause. Members of the community also joined the team.
"It is truly amazing to see staff and students of Williston State College come together to raise money for Children's Miracle Network." said Freed, "The participants here show the true character of Williston, a group that joins together to face any kind of challenge and meets it head on with great results."
WSC and Biz-Tech set the goal of raising $500 for the charity. Thanks to donations from friends, family, and members of the community, the team finished with a total of $1500. Extending the cause beyond the College's immediate scope, Miss Williston State College (and Biz-Tech member) Kayla Bauste came to the event personally to deliver a donation on her own behalf. The Miss America Organization, of which Bauste is a part of, has been a partner of the Children's Miracle Network since 2007.
"Competing within the Miss America Organization as a Teen, and now Miss Contestant, has entailed many years of raising money for the Children's Miracle Network. I was informed about this event I couldn't wait to be part of it," said Bauste. "Having a goal of $500, the team went above and beyond raising over $1500. I'm excited to see what else this year has in store as a member of WSC's Biz-Tech group."
The team had extensive support from local businesses. They would personally like to thank Cornerstone First Baptist Church for hosting them; Domino's Pizza, Go-Go Donuts, and Dairy Queen for providing food; and Coca-Cola for providing refreshments for the group. Without their support, the night would have been much more difficult to get through.
The Biz-Tech team is still accepting donations though December 31. All of donations are 100% tax deductible and any funds collected will stay in North Dakota to treat children in our state. If you would like to donate or have any questions, please call Tony Freed at 701-774-4502 or email at tony.freed@willistonstate.edu; or Ryan Wellander at 701-774-4591 or email at ryan.wellander@willistonstate.edu.

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