For Stevens Point News

STEVENS POINT — On Tuesday, May 1, the 2018 Day of Giving generated nearly $145,000 in 24 hours to support the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, more than triple the amount raised in the two previous years

Nearly 250 individual gifts were made, ranging from $5 to $10,000. The two largest gifts made that day, $10,000 each, were made by an emeritus faculty member and the other from a UWSP Foundation Board member.

Seven matching gifts supported Power Hour challenges issued on the Day of Giving. A gift from strong community supporters Bob and Mary Berard matched every gift throughout the day, for a total of more than $72,000. Their gift supports recruitment and retention scholarships.

Pointers and university friends were encouraged to take selfies and post them with the message #UWSPGIVESBACK, and more than 300 people did. For every selfie posted, a dollar was donated to student scholarships providing more than $300. The University Store sold nearly 50 Day of Giving T-shirts, with proceeds supporting student scholarships.

The Stevens Point community also joined the activities. Emy J’s Coffee House and Café created specialty drinks to support UW-Stevens Point scholarships.

“Day of Giving generosity is gratifying,” said Greg Summers, provost and vice chancellor of Academic Affairs. “The strong support of alumni and friends is enormously important for our students. With almost half of those enrolled being the first from their families to go to college, many have financial challenges that complicate their education beyond what they face in the classroom.

“For some, the support they get from donors to the Day of Giving will make the difference between completing their degree or having to step out for financial reasons,” he said. “Seeing their education through not only affects the lives of these students, but is an asset to the communities in which they will live and work.”

UW-Stevens Point’s Parking Services provided an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to have campus parking tickets forgiven for a donation of a non-perishable food item for The Cupboard campus food pantry. A full bin of food was donated.

UW-Stevens Point alumni chapters arranged for 11 days of service, which were held across the country to honor this year’s Day of Giving and demonstrate how Pointers give back. Each chapter chose a special charity in their community to serve. They helped clean up rivers, assembled food pantry packages and much more. Go to https://give.uwsp.edu/alumni-associationor email [email protected] to learn more about hosting or volunteering for a future Day of Service.

Next year – UW-Stevens Point’s 125^th anniversary – the Day of Giving will be Tuesday, May 7, 2019. Learn more at givinguwsp.org.