Day of Giving 2021 an encouraging success at Erskine

The excitement of Erskine’s third annual Day of Giving goes on, with the school exceeding its announced 2021 goal for the April 28 event and additional donations still arriving. More than $129,000 has been raised so far during Erskine’s 2021 Day of Giving.

“Our goal was $125,000, and as of this morning we have topped $126,000—and gifts are continuing to come in,” Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations Paul Bell said in a message to faculty and staff members early on April 29. “Contributions made by May 5 will be credited toward the Day of Giving total.”

Bell reported that a generous $25,000 matching gift was made anonymously and was met by donations early in the day. “Momentum continued to build after that,” he said.

Day of Giving contributions will be used primarily for the reduction of tuition costs through general scholarship assistance. “Designated gifts were also received for a scholarship in honor of Dr. Howard and Penny Thomas, new equipment for our biology labs, and Erskine Athletics,” Bell said.

In addition to staff from the Advancement and Alumni, Marketing and Communications, and Information Technology teams, members of the Erskine community assisting this year’s Day of Giving efforts have included Erskine President Dr. Robert Gustafson; First Lady Beth Gustafson; freshman Presidential Scholar Sharon George; and Erskine College sophomore Sadie Bradley. Videos created by faculty and staff members, alumni, and students were shown throughout the day.

A giving contest pitting faculty against staff took place this year, as it did last year, with the winners to receive doughnuts from Mama’s Sweet Shoppe, located on Main Street in Due West. The results of the friendly face-off will be announced later, when all gifts are counted.

Even if you missed the Day of giving, it’s not too late to make a difference for Erskine. Join your classmates and friends—give today. Your gifts can work wonders for our students!

Photo: Erskine’s mascot, “Ace,” displays a thank-you sign for donors.