TRU’s seventh annual Day of Giving raised $81,591.50 for TRU students last week, smashing the goal to raise $48,000 in 48 hours.
A total of 223 donors — including alumni, long-time individual supporters, organizations and new contributors — chose from several areas to make their donation during the campaign, held Feb. 29 and March 1.
Organizers are overwhelmed by the community’s generosity.
“We are absolutely thrilled and so encouraged by the support of this year’s Day of Giving,” says Katrina Harding, advancement officer, annual giving. “It signifies not only financial relief for students, but also that the communities of TRU — including alumni, Kamloops, Williams Lake, the surrounding areas — are taking action to help improve the world by increasing access to education.”
The Williams Lake Endowed Fund for Student Support was one of this year’s featured funds, helping to kickstart an endowment campaign that seeks to raise $1 million to make education more affordable in Williams Lake. Supporters of the fund have already pledged over $134,000 toward the endowment, including $740 contributed during Day of Giving.
“Williams Lake has so much to offer learners in the local region. Supporting an endowment supports students in the region,” wrote Christine Cnossen, former TRU provost and vice-president academic, about choosing to support the endowed fund during Day of Giving.
In addition to the endowment, donors in William Lake also stepped up with $2,645 to support the Health Care Equipment Fund. The equipment fund was created to continue funding health-care kits following the success of last year’s Day of Giving event, which raised money to provide lab kits to nursing and respiratory technology students in Williams Lake and Kamloops. Williams Lake nursing students will receive their lab kits in September.
Most funds donated during Day of Giving supported undergraduate scholarships, awards and bursaries, many of which are available to TRU Williams Lake students and Kamloops students. Students can learn more about applying at tru.ca/awards.
Day of Giving 2024 is over, but TRU students in Williams Lake need support year-round. For more ways to give, visit tru.ca/giving.
