The Grid at Nicholls State University presented a check to the Humane Organization for the Protection and Education for Animal’s first annual Cast Your Chip fundraiser.

On Sept. 23, The Grid held a ceremony where $1,670 was donated to the local HOPE for Animals charity. Students picked HOPE for Animals last spring when they were given the opportunity to vote between three local charities.

At the ceremony refreshments and desserts were public to all students. It was held just outside The Grid in the Donald G. Bollinger Student Union.

“The way it worked was when a student bought something from the Grid,” Bianca Gilfour, unit Marketing Coordinator for Sodexo Campus dining, said, “they got a chip and could pick from three charities. Whoever had the most at the end of the semester would receive the donation.”

HOPE for Animals is a local no-kill organization based in Thibodaux. They have worked to develop awareness and interest in both animal cruelty issues and overpopulation problems in Lafourche Parish.

“Hope for Animals has been in existence for 20 years,” Gilfour said, “They are looking for volunteers and they take animals in. They vaccinate and care for the animals with the money they raise.”

The Cast Your Chip fundraiser also sponsored Good Samaritan Food Bank and Sodexo Stop-Hunger. Since a donation was given to HOPE for Animals this year, another charity will be picked for next spring’s Cast Your Chip.

“On the last day, our retail manager totaled everything up and HOPE for Animals won by a landslide. Every time the Grid receives a purchase, Sodexo donates $0.08 to the Cast Your Chips chosen foundation.” Gilfour said.

The Good Samaritan Food Bank and Sodexo Stop-Hunger will continue to have spots on the Cast Your Chip fundraiser ballot. Before the second Cast Your Chip fundraiser starts, students will be polled on what charity they believe should replace HOPE for Animals.

“I am in a fraternity and we do a lot of charity with the Children’s Miracle Network,” Dane Vizier, senior biology major from Cutoff said. “We do a lot with them so it would be nice to see the campus as a whole donate to the Miracle Network.”

HOPE for Animals could make a return to the Cast Your Chip fundraiser in the coming years.

“I’m an animal lover,” Jasmin Foret, sophomore business administration major from Houma, said. “So I would still support Hope For Animals. Maybe special needs families would also get my vote.”

Sodexo, an international food company that has ties to hospitals, offshore plants and multiple other facilities, produces the Cast Your Chip fundraiser. They will be presenting donations every fall following the spring fundraiser.

Part of the Grid and Sodexo’s mission is to give back to the community. The Cast Your Chip fundraiser is their largest donation provided each year and donates one percent of Sodexo’s gross revenue to communities.

Students can participate in the Cast Your Chip fundraiser this spring semester by searching for local charities that need support and vote for them when the fundraiser is being set-up.