Wright State’s #GivingTuesday event draws charitable crowd

Wright State Student Philanthropy Council and Student Alumni Association hosted a Giving Tuesday event Dec. 2, to celebrate generosity and to give. Proceeds benefited many Wright State areas, including Rise. Shine. The Campaign for Wright State University.

#GivingTuesday is much more than a holiday. It’s a movement.

On Tuesday, Dec. 2, Wright State students, staff, faculty and community members came together in the Student Union Atrium to celebrate Giving Tuesday with generosity and activity. By the end of the day, $6,188 had been donated to various Wright State funds.

The event’s charitable participants were able to donate to one or multiple funds such as the Friendship Food Pantry, the Graduation Fund, the Lillie P. Howard Student Need-Based Grant Fund, the Rise. Shine. Campaign or a fund of the participant’s choice.

Rise. Shine. The Campaign for Wright State University is a $150 million fundraising campaign that promises to further elevate the university’s prominence by expanding scholarships, attracting more top-flight faculty and supporting construction of state-of-the-art facilities.

Kari Simpson, graduate assistant for the Office of Annual Giving, said philanthropy was at the heart of Giving Tuesday.

“Philanthropy is so important because it is not only a way to give back to something important to you, but also a way to help others,” said Simpson. “By donating to a cause or organization, you are able to make a difference. Without philanthropy, many of Wright State’s organizations would not be here.”

One of the highlights of the event was a cash cube — an inflatable chamber that contained $1,000 of donated money from Student Affairs for participants to snatch up as quickly as possible. The money grabbed while in the cash cube was donated to a fund of the participant’s choosing.

Participants took the opportunity to write unselfies — pictures taken with notes of selflessness and gratitude — to the Wright State community, saying why they chose to donate and participate in Giving Tuesday:

• “I Rise. Because I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become. #RiseShineWSU”
• “I Rise. Because I have the opportunity to become a better person every day at Wright State. #RiseShineWSU”

Emily Bingham, one of the attendees at Giving Tuesday, said Giving Tuesday is one of her favorite days of the holiday season.

“It’s a breath of fresh air amidst all of the consumerism of the holidays,” Bingham said. “It feels good to give back.”

For more information on how to donate to Wright State University or a specific organization or fund, contact Annual Giving at (937) 775-3958 or amy.n.jones@wright.edu.