[Owensboro, Ky. (Nov. 19, 2015) – Kentucky Wesleyan College is pleased to unveil plans for the first Wesleyan Way Day of Service on Monday, Nov. 30, and participation in #GivingTuesday on Tuesday, Dec. 1. The day of service will include Wesleyan students, faculty, staff and alumni in partnership with local nonprofit organizations. Service projects will be conducted at Burns Elementary School, Cravens Elementary School, the H.L. Neblett Community Center, New Beginnings, and Wesleyan Heights United Methodist Church, among other locations. #WesleyanONE will be used in reference to the service day and Giving Tuesday, emphasizing that one person and one gift can make a difference. The Law Firm of Foreman Watson Holtrey, Hendrick Screen Company, Greenwell Chisholm and ADventures serve as sponsors.
Wesleyan President Bart Darrell said the College values its place in the community.
“Wesleyan is looking forward to starting the giving season off right with this two-day event,” Darrell said. “It is important that we continue to support and love one another, as The Wesleyan Way states – not just on our campus, but in the community, too.”
Giving Tuesday will be a day for alumni and friends of the College to give back to Wesleyan financially. Donors are asked to visit www.kwc.edu on Dec. 1 to make their gift. The Advancement Office (Room 105 in the Barnard-Jones Administration Building on the Wesleyan campus) will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Giving Tuesday if donors wish to hand-deliver gift, or they may call 270-852-3142.
Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. It is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and the widely-recognized shopping events, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, to kick-off the holiday giving season and inspire people to collaborate in improving their local communities and give back in impactful ways to the charities and causes they support. More than 30,000 organizations have participated in Giving Tuesday since its inception in 2012.
M. Blake Harrison, director of development and donor relations, is overseeing Wesleyan Way Day of Service and Giving Tuesday.
“We are proud to stand with our neighbors in bettering Owensboro-Daviess County,” Harrison said. “This day of service gives our students, employees and alumni a chance to wrap their arms around our community and live out The Wesleyan Way.”
Terri Crowe, advocacy coordinator for New Beginnings, said she is happy to partner with Wesleyan.
“The day of service is a wonderful idea to connect students to the community around them,” Crowe said. “It’s a win-win for everyone. Students gain experience, we gain helpers to do needed tasks and our survivor-clients reap the benefits!”
Giving Tuesday has generated more than $70 million for nonprofits the past two years. Harrison hopes Wesleyan will benefit from that momentum.
“It’s our hope that our constituents will invest in Wesleyan on Dec. 1 in support of our students and the future of Owensboro,” he said. “Participation is the key – gifts of any size help!”
-Kentucky Wesleyan College-