THUNDER BAY – Confederation College and the Student Union (SUCCI) were excited to kick off the New Year with a new campaign for Stock the Bank and the United Way. The two-week campaign, typically held in November, launched Friday with a pancake breakfast and will run through to January 19, 2018. The annual effort sees members of the College community collecting funds and food for its students through the Emergency Student Food Bank, as well as for the United Way of Thunder Bay.
This year’s start to the campaign was marked with two significant contributions, which could result in up to $30,000 in support of students. With a one-time $10,000 contribution, SUCCI has established a “Student Emergency Fund” which will continue to support the Emergency Student Food Bank and will expand to offer grants to students who apply to Financial Aid under emergency circumstances but may not meet the criteria for an emergency loan or bursary.
“We recognize the need for students goes beyond food and by establishing the Emergency Student Fund, we are laying the foundation for further-reaching student support,” said Thomas McDonald, SUCCI Administrator of Wellness and Diversity. “It is due to the past contributions of our College and broader communities that we have been able to take this pinnacle step, and we thank all those who continue to support our students.”
Confederation College also announced a one-time campaign contribution – up to $10,000 will be donated in matching dollars for the annual Bread and Butter employee salary drive. The donation will come from remaining funds of the 50th Anniversary budget, which was financed by Confederation College Alumni and community supporters. The Bread and Butter drive encourages employees to donate one or more hours of their gross wage to support students. For every dollar raised, Confederation College will match the donation up to a total of $10,000, which could see $20,000 directed to student supports.
“This is a wonderful way for us to pay forward the generosity demonstrated by our community towards the College during our 50th Anniversary,” said Dana Levanto, Manager of Advancement and Alumni Services. “It creates another lasting legacy for our milestone year and more importantly, helps our students to succeed in achieving their educational dreams.”
President Jim Madder was on hand to celebrate the launch of the campaign and offer his thanks for these contributions. “We are grateful for the continued and incredible support of our College community in putting our students first,” he said. “This is the perfect way to start 2018 and positions us well for a record year in our Stock the Bank campaign. Further, it inspires us as we also begin our internal campaign for the United Way.”
Campaign fundraising totals for Stock the Bank and the United Way will be announced at Confederation College on January 22, 2017.
