'Love Your Melon' at Ottawa U

A common fear amongst young people is getting picked last in a recess kickball game. Getting picked last, however, seems like a dream to kids fighting for their lives in hospitals.  

Love your Melon was founded on Oct. 22, 2012, by college sophomores Zach Quinn and Brian Keller. It began with the idea of putting a hat on every child battling cancer in America. 

In 2014, Love Your Melon went on two nationwide tours spreading its mission. It now has a network of college students who serve as Love Your Melon Ambassadors representing more than 500 schools in the nation. 

Love Your Melon has Campus Crews represent their organization across the country. These crews are made up of students at the University who promote the organization to the rest of the student body. 

They set up social media accounts and events on campus to encourage people to buy Love Your Melon products. Items are purchased online through the Love Your Melon website, and then you have the option to select a Campus Crew who will be credited for your purchase.   

Once a crew is credited with enough purchases, they will get an opportunity to take hats to kids in their community who are battling cancer, be able to host special events and so much more. 

The organization has now expanded their product line to more than just beanies. You can buy anything from beanies to shirts to coffee mugs. Fifty percent of the net proceeds of Love Your Melon products sold are donated to the Pinky Swear Foundation and CureSearch. 

Students at Ottawa University have started their very own campus crew. The crew currently has 15 members who are excited to be apart of this organization. 

“I wanted the opportunity to do what I can to help those suffering from cancer,” said Jessi Loucks, who serves as the vice captain for the crew. “The hats given to the kids help them to feel less self conscious about their condition!”

“Once our campus crew has sold a set number of products we will have the opportunity to go visit children who are battling cancer, and their families, and give them free beanies,” said Jordan Calderwood, secretary of the Love Your Melon campus crew for Ottawa U. “Our goal is to be able to do that before the semester is over.” 

Love Your Melon just had a product release on Feb. 1, and it was a huge success. Many of the products were sold out in the first 30minutes. The next product release date is set for Feb. 8 at 7 p.m.