Jack Crowley ‘24 | Gavin Schmidt ‘24
Throughout the month of March, the EA Community Service Corps is holding Mutt Madness, an annual event that raises awareness and donations for the Providence Animal Center. This opportunity allows students to buy a NCAA bracket for the March Madness basketball tournament and have their proceeds go to a local animal shelter. Rebecca Brinks, EA Community Service Coordinator, explains, “This is the fifth year that we have done it. […] We started this because we wanted to help the Providence Animal Center, which focuses on rescuing animals and animal adoptions.”
Students are encouraged to purchase a bracket(s) by Friday, March 12 from one of the Mutt Madness kiosks, which Brinks explains “are located in the Athletic Center, Upper School, Chapel, and Campus Center.” The winners of Mutt Madness, those with the most-correct bracket, will receive prizes: first place will win a signed Villanova basketball, and second and third places will win Wawa gift cards.
Brinks says, “The idea is that people will buy a $10 bracket, and we will sell as many as we can. Usually, the program raises over a thousand dollars, and we are getting more and more every year.” Gracie Sheehan ‘22, a regular participant of March Madness, says “Every donation, regardless of if they buy a bracket or not, makes a difference.” Fiona Riley ‘22, one of the main coordinators of the event, explains, “The money [donated to Providence Animal Center] is spent on supplies, medical care, treatments, and the placement of companion animals.”
The pandemic has changed Mutt Madness, causing the Community Service Corps to redesign how it raises donations and awareness for the animal shelter. Riley says that “accepting the donated money is more difficult with limited contact” and mentions that they will be accepting Venmo payments as well as continuing to take cash.
Brinks also notes that “for the last two years, [the Community Service Corps] would bring dogs to campus, who were up for adoption. Everyone loved that, and it was a great attention getter for Mutt Madness.” However, this year, dogs are unable to come to campus due to COVID restrictions. Riley adds, “I loved getting to see the dogs, but I am glad we get to continue this tradition COVID-style with images of the dogs [on the kiosk tables] and dog balloons and stuffed animals.”
Mutt Madness continues to be an opportunity that brings students from different backgrounds together through an enjoyable and charitable experience. Brinks comments, “We started doing this because it benefits our community partners, but also because it is just fun. It’s great that it involves people who are interested in basketball as well as people who are not interested in basketball.” Sheehan also says, “Mutt Madness is not only an amazing charity that helps our local animal shelters, but it brings our community together with a common goal.”
While the Mutt Madness event looks different this year due to COVID restrictions, it still continues to make a positive impact on the Providence Animal Center. Emily Staid ‘22 says, “Episcopal’s contribution to shelters through Mutt Madness is not new this year, but I think it’s important now more than ever to remember those animals who are alone and looking for a home.”