Marshall University alumni donate to foundation
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Staff Report
PARKERSBURG -- Despite the pandemic, the Marshall University Mid-Ohio Valley Alumni Chapter has made a $30,000 gift to the Marshall University Foundation.
The chapter has supported the university through scholarships and gifts to the Big Green Foundation for numerous years. Creative chapter members found ways to raise support during the pandemic.
Having already received funds for its annual scholarship fundraising dinner, the chapter requested businesses, organizations and individuals who had contributed to the spring event allow the chapter to apply those dollars to its scholarships. Less than $1,000 of the $15,600 raised was all that was returned.
The chapter then contacted those who attended the fundraising dinner over the past three years and asked if they would again support the scholarships, an effort raising nearly $10,000 in gifts.
Another $7,000 was raised in early summer through an online auction of 40 Marshall-themed items, many of which were provided by the Big Green Foundation and from the estate of Tom Jamison, a Marshall alumnus and lifelong supporter.
"We were no different than many other organizations when we were faced with the reality that our only means of fundraising was cut off. With no in-person scholarship fundraising dinner and no Big Green Rally by the River, we had to think outside the box to do what we have always done in the past - provide scholarships to Mid-Ohio Valley students who would be attending Marshall University in the fall of 2020," Ed Hofmann, chapter treasurer, said.
Chapter Vice President Jill Parsons believes success was possible because of community engagement.
"It was all about the relationships and engagement within the community," she said. "The online auction started at a good time. Everyone was getting bored at home and needed to take their mind off pandemic news."
The chapter is dedicated to the prosperity of students who wish to attend Marshall University.
"I hope that students realize that people care and want to help them achieve a higher education at Marshall University," said Laurie Martin, chapter president. "Hopefully at some point in their lives, they can pay it forward, and not necessarily in monetary terms. Paying it forward can also be accomplished by volunteering time to Marshall or by working with an alumni chapter to help raise funds for scholarships or other programs that need additional support."
For information about the Mid-Ohio Valley Alumni Chapter scholarships, contact the Marshall University Office of Student Financial Assistance at 304 696-3162.