Although dressing up as Power Rangers and visiting children is a big part of the MAKO Rangers’ mission, so is fundraising. To raise money for children in need, the MAKO Rangers will host MAKO Week from March 13 to 17.
The week of activities will include a dodgeball tournament, a movie night, a game night and a party.
Parker Sheppard, sophomore exercise and sports science major and co-president of the MAKO Rangers, said that the primary goal of MAKO Rangers is to make other people smile, particularly children.
The funds raised from the week will go to a children’s charity that will be determined later.
“There aren’t too many organizations on campus that focus on kids,” Sheppard said. “The best part about dressing up and going to hospitals is seeing the smiles on kids’ faces. We’re those kids’ heroes. It’s a moving and inspirational cause, and kids are the future.”
Jake Bence, sophomore chemistry major and co-president of MAKO Rangers, said he doesn’t expect a huge turnout for the event, but he hopes MAKO Week will become an annual tradition.
“I like that we make an impact in a unique way,” he said. “Most people only raise money and give it away, but we’re more upfront. We do more direct service events.”
Sheppard is looking forward to seeing the impact that MAKO Week has and letting everyone involved know about the impact they’ve made.
“I want people to be able to see exactly what they’re putting their time and money into,” he said. “The ones who see that are going to take it to heart, and we hope those people will want to get involved with us and believe in what we do.”
The MAKO (Monumental Action through Kindness and Optimism) Rangers’ core values are enthusiasm, ingenuity, integrity, compassion and service. The organization is a combination of the two former student organizations: MAKO Crew and NSU Power Rangers. The two groups merged after realizing they shared common values at the start of this year. Group membership increased as a result.
“I hope people who attend MAKO Week get a sense of who we are as an organization and [will show excitement] for MAKO Week to happen again,” Sheppard said. “We want to get the student body to come together. It’s all for a good cause, and it’s important that everyone’s involved in philanthropy.”
Karena Washington, freshman music major and MAKO Ranger said, “We want to bring happiness to others who are struggling and bring something that isn’t real to life. For kids, seeing that something they’ve seen on TV come to life could brighten up their entire year.”
Washington said that, while dressing up and visiting hospitals, she’s had children ask for her autograph, thinking that she was a real Power Ranger.
“It’s a cool cause, and it’s unique,” she said.
Sheppard wants MAKO Week to lead to a better understanding of the MAKO Rangers at NSU.
“Hopefully the entire university will get to see what we are, who we are and how we are outside of just service trips and stuff like that,” he said.
Students can sign up for the dodgeball tournament at orgsync.com/123470/chapter. Follow the MAKO Rangers on Instagram @makorangers to learn more about the organization.
MAKO Week Calendar
March 14—Movie night 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. @ Commons 123
March 15—Dodgeball tournament 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. @ UC Tennis Courts
March 16—Game night 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. @ Commons 123
March 17—Pagoda party 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. @ Commons Pagoda
Photo Credit: P. Sheppard
