Day of Giving
by Laurie B. Davis
The University of Toledo provides students with so many opportunities for success, and UT’s annual Day of Giving is an opportunity for the entire UT community to help students reach their goals by giving to Rocket Forward: You Launch Lives.
Alumni, faculty and staff members, students and friends of the University who support its mission are encouraged to give during this second annual Day of Giving. The fundraising campaign will begin at midnight Tuesday, Oct. 16, and will last until noon Wednesday, Oct. 17.
Every donor and every dollar will make a difference in this 36-hour campaign to raise money for student scholarships, athletic and educational programs, and resources for UT’s academic colleges, among many other areas.
“We encourage Rockets everywhere to join together on Oct. 16 and 17 to give back and have a significant impact on the lives of our students and all that The University of Toledo does to support them,” UT President Sharon L. Gaber said. “Philanthropy is essential to continuing the University’s mission to educate the next generation of leaders. I look forward to the possibilities of the combined efforts of our global, national and local alumni and friends when they support our Day of Giving and keep UT moving forward.”
Participation is an important goal for Day of Giving, which aims to encourage as many people as possible to support the University. Gift matches and gift challenges are ideal options for making a gift because they double the investment and double the impact.
In 2017, an anonymous donor challenged the colleges to compete for Day of Giving participants to support them. The College of Nursing and the College of Arts and Letters led the colleges, garnering the support of 99 and 95 donors, respectively. The colleges also received the additional $5,000 (Nursing) and $4,000 (Arts & Letters) for their progress funds via the donor’s gift.
“Last year was our first Day of Giving and it was a huge success,” says Charlene Gilbert, dean and professor of the College of Arts and Letters. “Our faculty and staff had the second-highest number of donors. Their generosity demonstrated their deep belief in the mission of the University and the College. The money raised last year allowed us to provide strategic support to students who were close to graduating and just needed a little financial assistance. The result of that was our ability to graduate a record number of students and contribute to the University’s overall increase in our six-year graduation rate,” says Gilbert.
Despite the rain last year on Day of Giving, students, faculty and staff members came out to Centennial Mall for free cupcakes handed out by President Gaber, to hear the UT Marching Band perform and to cozy up with some canines at a popular dog-petting station. Multiple activities are planned for Oct. 16 to celebrate the day and raise awareness of the opportunity to give.
For early risers, the Recreation Center at UT will offer a Rise and Shine cycling class at 6:15 a.m. and 7:15 on Oct. 16. With a $5 donation to Rocket Forward: You Launch Lives you can attend the class, which also will be open to non-members of the Recreation Center.
The UT community is invited to Centennial Mall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 16, when WXUT FM 88.3 will provide popular music entertainment. Student-run organizations will offer booths featuring carnival-style games. Participants can donate dollars for game tickets, and donations may be made with cash, credit cards and Rocket dollars. Dog-petting will return to this year’s Day of Giving Centennial Mall event, and for a $1 donation you can pet a pup. Foodies can get their fill by visiting three food trucks that will be on the scene: Koral Hamburg, The Leaf and Seed and Holey Toledough Handcrafted Doughnuts.
On the Health Science Campus, giving stations will be located in the Collier Building and the Four Seasons Bistro inside the UT Medical Center. The College of Nursing will be hosting activities, as well.
Gifts to rocketforward.utoledo.edu during the Day of Giving can be designated to specific funds that support causes donors are passionate about, and there are more than 2,000 funds to support.
Support UT on Oct. 16 and 17 during its Day of Giving, Rocket Forward: You Launch Lives fundraising campaign, and remember to share messages and encourage others to give using #rocketforward.
