VIU Participates in Global Day of Giving

On Tuesday, November 28, all the money you spend on food in the Vancouver Island University Students’ Union Pub will go towards scholarships and bursaries through the University’s Giving Tuesday campaign. Jesse Bixby, left, Janelle Wilson and Austyn Lorimer show off one popular menu item.

November 20, 2017 - 2:15pm

Giving Tuesday campaign on November 28 aims to raise $150,000 to support students

Students, staff and faculty at Vancouver Island University (VIU), as well as the University’s community supporters, are banding together to make a difference in the lives of students on Giving Tuesday.

Giving Tuesday is a global movement for giving that falls on the Tuesday following Black Friday and Cyber Monday. On this day, people are invited to get together to raise money and awareness about favourite causes and think about others.

During VIU’s fourth annual Giving Tuesday campaign on Tuesday, November 28, all friends of the University are invited to donate to the VIU Foundation as part of the campaign. VIU aims to raise $150,000 to support students.

“If you’ve been thinking about making a difference in the life of a student at VIU, this is a good day to do it,” says David Forrester, VIU Advancement Manager. “You can choose where you want your money to go. You can donate – or create – a specific scholarship or award, or funnel the donation to a particular faculty or program you’re passionate about. You can also give to the Inspiration Fund, which supports the areas of greatest need.”

Many student groups, departments, faculties and community groups organize special fundraising initiatives around Giving Tuesday. For example, the VIU Students’ Union (VIUSU) will donate all food sales from the pub on the day to the cause. The money raised will go towards scholarships, awards and bursaries for students.

“Giving Tuesday is a chance to give back to students at a time when consumerism is at a peak,” says Aubrey Robertson, VIUSU chairperson. “It’s part of our ongoing commitment to building strong relationships in the campus community.”

Students enrolled in the Workplace Essential Skills and Training (WEST) Program, a two-year, full-time employment preparation program for people with cognitive barriers, have been fundraising all year to make a Giving Tuesday donation. Students are selling reindeer-shaped hot chocolate stocking stuffers on campus. Partial proceeds from the farmers’ market and Good Food Box programs the students operate on campus throughout the year also go towards the Giving Tuesday pledge.

“Last year we were able to give $1,000,” says Instructor Tanya Assaf. “We really value Giving Tuesday – our students are a vulnerable population and it’s been very helpful for them to get involved. They get really excited to participate, especially the second-year students. We’ll dedicate the money we raise to scholarships for students who want to ladder into other VIU programs, as well as new technologies to help our learners.”

Other highlights of this year’s Giving Tuesday campaign include opportunities to support student refugees through the VIU International Refugee Newcomer Awards; Milner Gardens’ Shoots with Roots program for elementary school children; and entrance awards for students transitioning from VIU Cowichan’s Adult Basic Education program into first-year university courses.

Donations made on Giving Tuesday can have double the impact, as there are limited matching funds available to the campaign this year from the VIU Foundation, and 100% of every donation will go directly to the fund chosen by the donor.

For more information please visit giving.viu.ca/givingtuesday or call David Forrester at 250.740.6214.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Jenn McGarrigle, Communications Officer, Vancouver Island University

P: 250.740.6559 | C: 250.619.6860 | E: Jenn.McGarrigle@viu.ca | T: @VIUNews


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