Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
August 25, 2003
U of G students attempt to set juggling record, raise funds for charity
More than 2,000 first-year University of Guelph students will try to make it into the Guinness Book of Word Records Sept. 1 by simultaneously juggling for 10 seconds. Also as part of orientation week activities, students will be washing cars and shining shoes Sept. 6 to raise money for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
To prepare for the Guinness Book of World Records attempt, students will gather at 10 a.m. on Johnston Green, an expanse of lawn located at the centre of campus between Stone Road and College Avenue in Guelph. Participants will be given a crash course in juggling prior to the record-setting attempt.
U of G first began attempting to set or break world records in 1996 as a way of getting more students involved in orientation week. That year, U of G students squirmed their way into the Guinness Book by breaking a record for the largest human centipede. The ankles of 1,665 students were tied together and they wiggled 30 metres without separating. Other record-setting attempts have included forming the largest-ever human conveyor belt and simultaneous bubble-blowing.
Shinerama is another U of G orientation week tradition and Canada's largest university and college student fundraiser. Each September, more than 36,000 post-secondary students in 60 communities across Canada shine shoes, wash cars and polish windows in support of Shinerama. More than $14 million has been raised for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation through the annual event since 1964.
U of G began participating in Shinerama events in 1969, and has since raised more than $220,000 for cystic fibrosis research and treatment. "This year's campaign goal is $15,000," said Josh Hass, Shinerama co-ordinator and third-year student. On Sept. 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., students will be holding car washes, shining shoes and giving balloons and temporary tattoos to children at locations throughout the city.
"Members of the community can get involved by getting their car washed or shoes shined, or bringing their kids to see our ‘happy shiny people' and making a donation," said Hass.
For information about the juggling world record, contact Rick Makohoniuk, orientation co-ordinator for the Central Student Association, at (519) 824-4120, Ext. 52292, or rmakohon@uoguelph.ca. For information about Shinerama 2003, contact Hass at (519) 824-4120, Ext. 52827, or involve@uoguelph.ca.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 53338, or Rachelle Cooper, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982.
