Eastern Michigan University faculty, alumni and students participated in #GivingTuesday, raising close to $200,000 to kick off the holiday season this week.
Students were able to join the movement and give back to their university in the Student Center on Tuesday. All donations went toward scholarships and campus programs.
#GivingTuesday follows Black Friday and Cyber Monday as the national day of giving. This movement seeks to give back to others while using social media to promote it. The Eastern Michigan University Foundation encouraged students, faculty and alumni to participate.
This was the second year EMU has participated in #GivingTuesday. Last year, the EMU Foundation focused on launching the movement and spreading awareness over social media. This year’s focus was on getting the students involved.
The EMU Foundation made #GivingTuesday more student-centered by incorporating student intern Kristianna Bell. She helped the Foundation organize the movement.
“We raised $190,072, I did not expect that at all,” Bell said. “And that was just at 7 p.m., the numbers are still growing.”
The Foundation hired a disc jockey to play in the Student Center between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesday. Students had the opportunity to donate or participate in the Greek Penny Wars and enter to win a Kindle Fire.
Over 48 students donated, and more than 100 students entered to win the Kindle Fire. All of the students were able to learn more about #GivingTuesday and by the end of the event, student donations totaled $126.
Last year, EMU raised more than $138,000. Susan Rink, Director of Planned Giving, hoped to raise $170,000 this year. She was very happy with the amount students donated and the amount of support.
“It was reaffirming to see how people really do support Eastern,” she said.
The evening wrapped up with Delta Zeta, winners of the Greek Penny Wars and presenting President Susan Martin with the total check at the women’s basketball game.
“It’s important for students to be aware and be involved in Giving Tuesday because they should support their school,” Bell said. “It’s important to know that they can give back to any department, organization, scholarship...anything that interests them, they can support. Not only are they helping support the university, but they are helping the students who will be here after them.”
