Lion Student Foundation to Help Fundraise on Annual Day of Giving

The Lion Student Foundation is working hard to make the third Annual Day of Giving event a roaring success. Directed by A&M-Commerce's Institutional Advancement division, the Annual Day of Giving on March 5 is a significant opportunity for the community, students, faculty, staff and alumni to give back to the university.

To help spread the word, the Lion Student Foundation advertised the Annual Day of Giving on Crush soda cans which students sent to their friends on Valentine's Day. Lion Student Foundation members will also set up tables at the campus crossroads near the library to increase awareness before the event.

On March 4 and 5, Lion Student Foundation members will sell Chick-fil-A sandwiches and bottled water for $5 at the campus crossroads in front of the library. They will also accept cash and credit card donations at that location. Additionally, on March 5, Mugs coffee shop will host a Coffee and Change benefit from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Iris Beare, director of Annual & Special Programs, explained, “The Lion Student Foundation is our student philanthropy initiative, and the goal is to instill a culture of philanthropy within the student body that will remain as students graduate.”

Lion Student Foundation members spread this “culture of philanthropy” across campus as they reach out to fellow students, encouraging them to donate any amount, even pocket change, to A&M-Commerce. The goal is to encourage students to embrace this spirit of giving and continue to support A&M-Commerce throughout their professional careers.

The spirit of giving is what attracted Juventino Gonzalez to the Lion Student Foundation. Gonzalez recalls, “I decided to join LSF because they were offering free hugs one time while out in front of the library. That stood out to me because it was unique, and at the time, it was something I needed.”

This year's Annual Day of Giving fundraising theme is “Make Change.” According to Beare, “Annual Day of Giving is our biggest opportunity to encourage Lions to give their first gifts. We want everyone to understand that every donation, no matter the amount, will make a difference.” This year's goal is 500 participants, an increase from last year's target of 300.