Students' coupons to help Japan
Two students collaborated with several local businesses in an effort to raise money for the relief efforts in Japan, coming up with an idea that can save students money
Joce DeWitt
Issue date: 4/18/11 Section: News
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When encouraged by their international business professor Steven Lawton, two OSU juniors developed an idea for a coupon that will assist earthquake relief in Japan and generate revenue for local businesses, while saving OSU students money.
John Hadden and Josh Yundt, both local to Corvallis, have produced a voucher available for a $10 purchase this week, which provides discounts at 10 different restaurants on and around campus.
Of the Corvallis businesses contacted, Yogurt Extreme, American Dream, Qdoba, Pita Pit, Panda Express, Nearly Normal's, Flat Tail Brewery, Downward Dog, Block 15 and Dominos agreed to offer discounts on the coupon.
The discounts include $2 off items for some establishments and "buy-one-get-one-free" for others.
100 percent of proceeds will be sent to the American National Red Cross Japan Relief Fund.
Lawton sparked an unforeseen business proposition in Hadden and Yundt that could potentially raise 50 times more than expected.
"We could easily make $10,000 for the cause," Yundt said. "Steve's idea was to raise $200, and we raised an idea that was upwards of $10,000."
Through the cooperation of all 10 eateries, buying a single voucher for $10 would allow a student to use the punch card up to 3 times at each establishment.
"The card is going to have on the back Yogurt Extreme, American Dream, Panda Express and all those things, and right next to each one is the coupon," Hadden said. "There will be three logos for each individual restaurant acting as punches."
When news of the disaster in Japan surfaced in March, neither Hadden nor Yundt had tangible plans to contribute.
"I can't leave the country and go help," said Yundt, a staff sergeant in the Oregon National Guard whose military involvement requires him to remain in the country. "I can't go which was frustrating, but I can do something."
Hadden recalled his initial thoughts after relief efforts were mentioned in class and realized the potential impact of a good marketing proposal.
"We needed a way to make money and we're all poor students," Hadden said. "We thought, 'how can we involve students and get all students to do marketing?' The idea just evolved from there."
Kathleen Edwards, also a junior in business, was in class when the announcement of the coupon was made.
"I think it has the potential to have a big impact," Edwards said. "To me the best part is it is run by students and focused toward students. All the restaurants are places I go on a regular basis."
The list of restaurants that provide discounts on the card has grown immensely since the earliest plans were discussed.
"That day and the next day we called 60 businesses," Yundt said. "It saves students money, and our mindsets are always about how to increase business and PR. The most important thing is it's important for Japan."
Getting the project started was no easy task. According to Hadden and Yundt, the most difficult part was gaining initial collaborators.
"Once we got several businesses, it was easier," Hadden said. "It was intimidating because we weren't sure if it was going to work out at all. Neither of us had done anything like this, except giving money to Santa Claus."
As the two-man team paid for the printing of the vouchers out of pocket, the biggest factor in the success of this venture is finding volunteers to sell the cards. The OSU Bookstore agreed to sell and the team plans on making coupons available in the MU Quad this week.
The business-based fundraising idea inspired others in the class and around campus, including selling Japan relief T-shirts and a dance fundraiser on Saturday, April 23rd.
"The way I saw it was we needed someone to get the ball rolling; why not us?" Hadden said. "It's not hard to do, someone just has to do it."
Joce DeWitt, staff writer
737-2231 news@dailybarometer.com
"I think it has the potential to have a big impact," Edwards said. "To me the best part is it is run by students and focused toward students. All the restaurants are places I go on a regular basis."
The list of restaurants that provide discounts on the card has grown immensely since the earliest plans were discussed.
"That day and the next day we called 60 businesses," Yundt said. "It saves students money, and our mindsets are always about how to increase business and PR. The most important thing is it's important for Japan."
Getting the project started was no easy task. According to Hadden and Yundt, the most difficult part was gaining initial collaborators.
"Once we got several businesses, it was easier," Hadden said. "It was intimidating because we weren't sure if it was going to work out at all. Neither of us had done anything like this, except giving money to Santa Claus."
As the two-man team paid for the printing of the vouchers out of pocket, the biggest factor in the success of this venture is finding volunteers to sell the cards. The OSU Bookstore agreed to sell and the team plans on making coupons available in the MU Quad this week.
The business-based fundraising idea inspired others in the class and around campus, including selling Japan relief T-shirts and a dance fundraiser on Saturday, April 23rd.
"The way I saw it was we needed someone to get the ball rolling; why not us?" Hadden said. "It's not hard to do, someone just has to do it."
Joce DeWitt, staff writer
737-2231 news@dailybarometer.com
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