Collegiate Times

Plurro, an iPhone app launched last September, is partnering with Virginia Tech’s Relay for Life to raise funds for cancer research.

The app allows students to create cash mobs by gathering groups of people to attend a local busines and receive coupons based upon the number of people that attend.  

Its success led the team at Plurro to extend its efforts by partnering with Relay for Life this spring.

“Everyone is affected by cancer in some way,” said Plurro Campus Representative Haley Fowler. “Relay for Life fights for a great cause, and we are so glad that Relay was willing to team up with (Plurro).”

Typically, for every cash mob that takes place, Plurro gets a portion of the revenue. However, during its partnership with Relay for Life, Plurro is going to donate 5 percent of its proceeds to Relay.

“Plurro built up so much momentum in the fall,” Fowler said. “Partnering with (Relay) helps build momentum back up and benefits a great cause while doing so.”

In order to do that, Plurro Associate Libby Bish used her own connections as a VT alumna and member of Greek life to make that happen. 

“We targeted Greek organizations because they are a confined group of people," Bish said. 

Organizations can create their own cash mob at any local Blacksburg business of their choosing. The Greek organization with the biggest cash mob will get $100 towards their philanthropy.

Kappa Kappa Gamma held their first cash mob last Friday at 310 Rosemont. 

“It’s great (Plurro) is partnering with Relay,” said senior Lauren Shelley, member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. “I think reaching out to the Greek community is one of the best ways to help Relay raise money.”

Junior Megan Rihn, fundraising co-chair of Relay, is also excited. 

"I think it is also a great way to target the rest of the student body to get their minds going about fundraising, but not directly going around and fundraising. It's one step closer," Rihn said. 

A version of this article appeared in the Mar 6 issue of the Collegiate Times.