Vincennes University held its 5th annual Blazers Give Day celebration on Thursday, raising funds to make a lasting impact on students.
Starting at midnight on April 3, and lasting until midnight on April 4, Blazers Give Day is
a “window for people to donate to the (VU) Foundation,” said Director of Student Activities Elizabeth Hutchinson.
“That’s a big deal because that’s where our students get scholarships from,” she explained.
As part of the 24-hour giving initiative, students, staff, alumni, family, and friends were invited to celebrate and socialize at the VU President’s Spring Fling, held in the Jefferson Student Union from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on April 3.
Students mingled with faculty members, employees, and administration in addition to playing games, listening to live music, and eating free goodies.
According to to a press release issued by the university following the event, “preliminary results show that the event once again reached its goals — with over 125 donors, an increase in giving by at least 30 percent, and the fulfillment of multiple challenges and matches — in just 24 hours.”
Alumni provided 57 percent of the donations, the release states.
VU clubs and organizations attended to talk to donors and alumni, too.
President of the Creative Writing Club Zoey Rinesmith said, “we are asking for book donations so that we can have a book sale to pay for a conference we’d like to attend in the fall.”
Rinesmith encouraged all students to “get out there and try” when it comes to networking and fundraising opportunities.
Other students who attended the celebration were there as volunteers, which Social Work major Aaden Mapp said he is no stranger to.
“I’ve always tried to give back to my community in Indianapolis,” he said. “My dad’s fraternity always does volunteer work that I’m involved in, so I was excited to come here today and do what I’m used to.”
According to Gravyty.com, many colleges and universities hold “Days of Giving,” which are usually 24-hour fundraising campaigns designed to engage alumni, students, and other supporters to make donations to the school.
VU’s Director of Development Leslie Kidwell, who also works in the Private Funds Department with the Foundation, said that five years ago Blazers Give Day was just an idea inspired by the “Days of Giving” other colleges and universities were doing.
“Our Executive Director, Krisit Deetz, had the concept but then Covid-19 hit,” she said. “Finally, we got it all together and had our very first [Blazers Give Day] April of 2021.”
Kidwell said that Blazers Give Day is always held on the first Thursday of April.
“It’s hard to believe it’s already been five years, I remember the very first one,” she said. “Since then the energy and the partnerships have just exploded so we’re really excited about it.”
The university also held a Day of Service on March 31 where students put VU’s motto, “learn in order to serve” into action and spent the day volunteering their time and talents in the local community.
According to Kidwell, there are about 125,000 VU alumni who are eager to help students navigate life after graduation.
“People that are engaged and understand the value of their education, once they’re out there and have done well, they want to give back,” she said.
The Foundation was also accepting donations for their professional clothing closet as part of Blazers Give Day.
“It’s an opportunity for students, if they need it, to get access to professional attire,” said Hutchinson, “and we’re also taking donations for food pantries.”
Blazers Give Day was not only a day, but a week full of opportunities for faculty, staff, and alumni to come out and support VU as a whole.
“Vincennes University extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who shared their energy, talent, and resources to support our 5th annual Blazers Give Day,” said Executive Director of VU Foundation and Senior Director of Institutional Advancement Kristi Deetz.
“Every gift, every effort, and every moment of your dedication helps fulfill our mission. Your generosity is shaping the future, one Trailblazer at a time,” she said.
Students were encouraged to get the word out via social media by sharing their story on how a scholarship has helped them in the past, or just to offer a “thank you” to donors both past and present.
“When students can celebrate VU while they’re here and can see that people in the community and alumni are investing back in them,” said Kidwell, “hopefully they understand that the things they are able to enjoy and benefit from, that they then to will have a sense to give back.”
People can donations by going to
https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/35409/donations/new?donation_type=general.
