Washburn spirit is wiping out poverty and hornets.

A spirit bus will depart at 9 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 17, from the circle drive in front of the Living Learning Center for the annual showdown on the hardwood between Washburn and Emporia State. Tip-off is at 11 a.m. for the women and 1:30 p.m. for the men.

However, as an added bonus, the Washburn Student Government Association, who is sponsoring the trip, will be collecting toilet paper for the needy.

Elise Short, WSGA spirit committee chair, said the Topeka Rescue Mission goes through a lot of toilet paper in a week. WSGA wanted to help out, so admission for a seat on the bus to Emporia coupled with a ticket to the game is a 24-pack of toilet paper.

“We are going to try to cover one semester’s worth of their toilet paper expenses, so we’re having a toilet paper drive,” said Short, who is in charge of the trip. “Our theme is that we are trying to wipe out poverty one roll at a time.”

People donating a 24-pack of toilet paper will, in addition to the game ticket and bus ride, receive giveaways including a cup that is good for 25 cent refills all week in the Corner Store and an “I Love WU” button. For those who don’t have a 24-pack of toilet paper, they can give the equivalent of $1 per four rolls of toilet paper.

Short said donations can be given in the WSGA office or wherever they have a spirit booth set up. Only 50 spots are available on the bus, but there is no limit set on donations. Funding for the trip will come out of the student activities fund, so all donations, toilet paper or otherwise will go straight to the Topeka Rescue Mission.

An unexpected surprise for the bus trip, Short said, was provided by the bus company that is loaning Washburn the bus.

“We got a great deal with the local bus company and they’re allowing us to decorate the bus; just totally deck it out any way we want,” said Short.

People arriving early on the morning of departure will have the chance to decorate the bus. In addition to decorating the bus, anyone can decorate themselves because WSGA is also providing face paint, window paint and tattoos. They are also looking into hair paint.

“We want to get everybody so excited and all riled up for the game,” said Short.

The toilet paper drive and spirit trip coincide with I Love WU Week, as well. Everyday this week, WSGA will have free giveaways and food in the Student Union from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“We have two goals,” said Short. “One is to create the spirit and two is to collect the toilet paper. It’s awesome we get to do both things in one. We get to have fun while collecting toilet paper and helping people out.”