Xavier College Prep is known for its variety of donation drives. Perhaps the most famous of them is Buck-a-sweans.
Buck-a-sweans is a tradition that has existed for years and is something that every Xavier student looks forward to year-round. When the weather becomes colder, students can donate a dollar to wear sweatpants or jeans, hence the combination of the words: “sweans.”
All of the proceeds go toward eight different charities. This gives Xavier Gators the opportunity to give back to their community in exchange for the privilege of ditching the infamous plaid skirt for the day.
This donation drive is a fun and innovative way to raise funds for groups and charities, and students love being able to participate.
“I always love the sweans days because I get a chance to help those in need and also wear sweatpants for a day!” Zoe Lopez ‘24 said.
“Buck-a-sweans is one of my favorite traditions at Xavier. I always look forward to it every year,” Julia Tipsord ‘24 said.
According to the director of student activities Jennifer Tesdall, the funds that are raised by Buck-a-sweans days are usually sent to the same institutions every year.
“The same eight groups hope to see the money come from us around a certain time each year,” Tesdall said.
Tesdall stated that the the funds of the first Buck-a-sweans in September goes toward the Jumpstart Ministries, which contributes to purchasing Christmas gifts for underprivileged children.
The following fundraiser takes place in October, and this Buck-a-sweans day raises money for the BVM mission Damien House which is located in Ecuador. This house is mainly focused on helping people with Hansen’s Disease, also known as leprosy.
“The Damien House helps provide people diagnosed with Hansen’s Disease a place of shelter and a place to get care. It offers them a place where they feel like they belong,” Tesdall said.
Due to the connection with the BVM sisters, Xavier makes it a priority to help raise money for this mission.
In November, Xavier directs funds toward the Breast Cancer Prevention Institute. In the following month of December, donations go to the Holy Family Hospital for Bethlehem Foundation, also known as Bottles for Bethlehem.
Due to war in the area of Bethlehem, Bottles for Bethlehem needs donations and help more than ever. It is currently one of the the only hospitals in the area that helps high-risk mothers and babies. It’s also extremely difficult to access.
In January, Xavier has a Buck-a-sweans day to gather donations for the BVM mission that helps the children of Quito, Ecuador, more specifically, the center for working families.
This center has playgrounds, soccer fields, a school and a resource center where kids and their families are provided with fundamental facilities that they don’t have access to at home. It is a chance for people who experience harsh poverty to have access to necessities every person needs for their daily lives.
The second Buck-a-sweans day in January raises funds for the Charity & Development Appeal, which is a Diocese of Phoenix organization that has many Catholic institutions and donates money to groups that need it the most at the time.
In February, Xavier organizes a Buck-a-sweans that benefits the BVM mission in Ghana, Africa which is a retreat that teaches people about God and the Catholic Faith.
Finally the last Buck-a-sweans takes place in March. The money raised contributes to the Emily Ell scholarship foundation.
Emily Ell was a student at Xavier who tragically passed away in a car accident on prom night in 1999. Her personality and generous character made a tremendous impact on the Xavier community, which led to the establishment of a memorial scholarship in her name.
The funds for the scholarship are generated from the memorial gifts that her family received following her passing and the donations from the March Buck-a-sweans.
To this day, her family continues to be extremely involved with Xavier. Ell is continually remembered through this scholarship.
Beloved by all students, the Buck-a-sweans donation drive helps benefit many different organizations and people in need, while also encouraging students to give to the community.
