Collegiate Times

While scouring Goodwill stores for a wool V-neck that lights up and sings is creative procrastination, this year tacky sweaters can be used for more than just embarrassing Facebook photos.

Tech alumnus Dan Phipps has spent no time in local second-hand stores for this season’s sweater — his has been waiting since last year. Phipps’ one-of-a-kind sweater was made by Maggie, the elderly lady who lives beneath him.

“She made it last year from her Christmas tree skirt,” Phipps said.

He said its details include jingle bells, a snowman on the back and one particularly unique feature.

“The pocket is one of those cards that sings when you open it,” Phipps said.

He said he plans to wear his festive frock to this Saturday’s Sweaterfest, a fundraising event hosted by the Poverty Awareness Coalition for Equality. PACE is a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting the causes of poverty and working for social justice. The group will be at Champs Restaurant and Sports Bar celebrating the holidays in their favorite printed turtlenecks and tacky sweaters. 

Tech alumna Allison Jarnigan, the Web and graphic designer for PACE, said Sweaterfest has no strict organization.

“We all just dress up in really ugly sweaters and holiday gear and dance,” she said.

The ultimate purpose, though, is to raise money. This year the Sweaterfest proceeds will help send mosquito nets to Sri Lanka to minimize the spread of malaria.

Jarnigan said PACE uses the money differently each year.

“The project depends on whatever the interests of the members are that year,” she said. “We evolve to whatever the group is passionate about.”

Tech graduate student and PACE Vice President Allian Griffin said donating money to Sri Lanka had a specific influence.

“We had a new member come this year, a freshman from Sri Lanka,” Griffin said. “He did a presentation to the group members and everyone thought it was a great cause.”

In addition to this global project, PACE is involved locally. The group works with the Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program, which aids local families by running a food and clothing bank.  

“We’ve had canned food drives and clothing drives,” Griffin said, “and this August we collected school supplies that went to Montgomery County schools.”

Mary Francis Czarsty, a graphic designer for Tech’s athletics department, decided to become a member of PACE after learning about the group’s different efforts, some of which ring close to home.

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