Alumni respond to ‘Loose Change for a Chapel’ during Homecoming activities

Santo Cicirello '63 explains the "Loose Change for a Chapel" effort while modeling one of the hats made by Mary Manners '61. The hats were sold during the Alumni Association meeting and the proceeds donated toward the chapel effort.

Around $1,000 was raised for “Loose Change for a Chapel” during last weekend’s Homecoming activities.

Santo Cicirello ’63 is appreciative of all the alumni who made donations this weekend to “Loose Change for a Chapel,” and says he is humbled by their generosity and response to the effort.

At a meeting of the Alumni Executive Board a few years ago, Cicirello recalls he was sitting next to Margaret Gaut ’40, who expressed a desire to have a chapel built on campus. He agreed and the idea for “Loose Change for a Chapel” was soon born.

Cicirello set aside a jar to collect his loose change, and then challenged himself to give in another way. Each time he stops to put gas into his vehicle, Cicirello says he buys two one-dollar lottery tickets. Whatever he wins goes into his “Loose Change for a Chapel” jar and if he doesn’t win anything, he donates $2 to the jar.

A true ambassador for Tusculum, Cicirello shares often his story of how God worked in his life to bring him to the College from his native New Jersey and the blessings in his life that came from attending the school. He has shared his efforts for the chapel with other alumni and encouraged them to give as well. The chapel, he says, would not need to be large, but provide a place for the weekly chapel services as well as a quiet place for students to go pray or meditate. It could also be a place that alumni could use for weddings or other special services.

During last year’s Homecoming Alumni Association meeting, an impromptu sale was held for hats made by Mary Macfarland Manners ’61 with the proceeds donated to the chapel effort after Cicirello had explained about “Loose Change for a Chapel.” A little over $500 was raised through that sale and donations made.

Manners brought more of her beautiful hats this year and the hat sale returned during the Alumni Association meeting for Homecoming 2014. Cicirello also talked with fellow alumni participating in the golf tournament and also told people about “Loose Change for a Chapel” during the alumni dinner Saturday evening.

Over the weekend, a little more than $1,000 was donated  towards the chapel effort. Cicirello says he has been asked what a chapel, once built, would be named. He said he would like to see it named the Tusculum Alumni and Friends Chapel because of all those who have given to make it happen.