By Jasmine Durst
Have you ever stopped and wondered: “Hmm. Why do these organizations, sports teams and clubs table so much?”
The answer is simple: funding.
These fundraisers go to the club’s account which pays for trips, lodging, new equipment, and supplies for the events they host, which are often public events where all students are welcome to attend.
Most clubs rely on selling tasty treats because who doesn’t love a sweet treat once in a while? Other popular items sold are flowers, keychains, LEGOS, club-themed items, and more. Clubs seem to have better success getting donations when they are selling items rather than just asking for donations without the donor receiving anything in return.
The Regional Engagement Center (REC), a nonprofit organization, tabled for the first time on February 13, 2026, selling chocolate chip cookies. Each buyer who purchased six cookies for $5 received a free handmade keychain made by students in their organization’s after-school program. Skylar Latsha, an intern for REC, said, “This is for the kids.” The funding helps buy food for the children and provides homework help.
The Anime and Manga Association, the Sub-Popular Culture Club, and the Tabletop Gaming Club (TTRPG Club) raise funds throughout both semesters for their annual spring trip to Zenkaikon. Zenkaikon is a multi-genre convention in Lancaster, PA that celebrates anime, manga, gaming, sci-fi, and pop culture. Fundraising for these clubs helps take more people to Zenkaikon and get more out of the trip, as well as help spread the word about the clubs. Paige Kutyla, president of The Anime and Manga Association, said she is most excited for the convention panels. “It’s a chance to learn interesting stuff about the anime I love.”
The cheerleading team, on the other hand, fundraises on campus differently. For example, they sold Little Caesars pizza kits, sharing links on social media for their family, friends, etc., to purchase and support their team. There were also other treats such as cookie dough available.
The cheerleaders sold pumpkins from one of their teammates’ farms in the fall, and they set up a truck on Kurt’s Lane for the week, selling pumpkins out of the truck bed to students, faculty, and even high school students on tours. Alyssa Shannon, a cheerleader, said, “That was actually a very popular fundraiser, as we did it around Halloween.” Like every other sports team, the team also accepts donations year-round through our athletics page on the Susquehanna athletic website under the “Support Cheerleading” tab on their page.
Every year, cheerleading also participates in the Orange and Maroon Challenge in November, where they compete with other sports teams to raise the most money in 24 hours. This pays for the cheerleaders’ pom-poms, uniforms, signs, megaphones, and other cheer gear.
Overall, fundraising is a big opportunity for groups on campus to get their name out, purchase necessary travel expenses and equipment, and provides them with the ability to expand their club and give benefits to those assisted by the club.