Adelphi’s remade Valentine’s Day cards are displayed. Photo by Shae Bonifacio/The Dakota Student.

Despite stolen Valentine’s Day cards, Adelphi raised $400 for the Global Friends Coalition at its annual bake sale from Feb. 10 to Feb. 14 in the main entrance of Merrifield Hall.

“Someone stole (the bag of) Valentines Day cards that were supposed to be used to raise money for charity, and whoever it was never came forward,” Treasurer Marie Monson said.

The UND Adelphi Literacy Society, known as the English club, holds weekly meetings to discuss literature related topics.

Like any organization associated with UND, Adelphi is required to perform some kind of community service each year.

“Our Halloween bake sale proceeds go to the club to cover expenses for our activity at the end of the year, but the Valentines Day bake sale always goes to charity,” Livesay said. “We pick charities that are close to our hearts.”

After the first craft session the cards Adelphi made disappeared.

“I wish I could explain the theft of our cards,” Livesay said. “After our first crafting session, the 75 finished cards and craft supplies were left outside of a professors office inside a bag  were gone the next day. We rallied, though, and made more just before the sale started, even if some of the truly great cards were lost.”

Livesay said the group was shocked because it normally can leave its supplies in the spot without incident.

Even though the first cards were stolen, the organization continued with the bake sale to raise money for the Global Friends Coalition.

“This year, we donated to the Global Friends Coalition, which promotes literacy and learning skills for immigrants in Red River High School,” Livesay said. “(Monson) volunteers for them regularly and we all wanted to give something back to them.”

Monson said the club considered other charities, but knew she wanted to do something for the Global Friends Coalition.

“We wanted the organization to be close to home and to also promote literacy, and the Global Friends Coalition meets that criteria,” Monson said. “Since August, I have been volunteering with the Global Friends Coalition as a tutor at Red River High School. Over a hundred refugees come to Grand Forks every year now, and they need help with learning the English language and adjusting to our culture. I help out whatever kids are having trouble with various homework assignments, and am also there for moral support.”

According to the Global Friends Coalition website, the  mission is to “bring together individuals and organizations to foster refugee (New American) integration through work with New Americans and the Greater Grand Forks community.”

“We accomplish this mission through mentoring and tutoring programs with New American youth and families, as well as through outreach and advocacy work with the broader community,” Global Friends Coalition President Robin David said.

David said since they have started the mentoring and tutoring program through Red River High School they have gained 120 volunteers that help out every week with over 200 New Americans.

“To remember where we were so few years ago, and to realize the role we play in this community now, is both exhilarating and humbling,” David said. “We were delighted that Adelphi chose to fundraise for Global Friends.  As a former English major myself, I appreciate seeing English students engaged in the community and seeing the civic possibilities of their field.”

Editor’s note: Marie Monson is the multimedia editor for The Dakota Student.

Misti Meads is a staff writer for The Dakota Student. She can be reached at [email protected].