The Council, made up of 40 students, promotes the awareness of philanthropy and its impact on campus. It also hosts specific campus events to raise funds for the Students First fund, created to provide financial assistance to students in a time of crisis and unexpected hardships.
URI junior Caitlyn Lyon is the chair of the council. “The events on campus are a great way for us to reach other students with our message and to help our fellow students in need with our fundraising efforts. Through our I Heart URI events we hope to raise awareness about what we do and how other members of the student body can get involved in our organization. We’ve in the past, had success with students, staff and family members donating to this fund,” said Lyon. The Council will celebrate national Student Engagement and Philanthropy day by engaging fellow students at booths in these locations:
The Memorial Union (Feb. 16-19, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
Hope Commons (Feb. 22-26, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.)
Butterfield Dining Hall (Feb. 29-March 4, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.)
Below is the list of themes for the booths starting February 16:
Pass it on Tuesday- Students will be asked to do a good deed
(I.e. buying coffee for the person behind them, holding doors open) and to encourage others to do the same by passing a Rhody cut-out across campus and posting pictures on social media to spread Rhody spirit. The Council hopes to see the Rhody cutout all over campus!
Why I Give Wednesday- Students will write on white boards why they give back to URI and post to social media.
Thankful Thursday- Students will learn about the impact of donor support on campus and be invited to sign a large thank you card to show appreciation for URI donors. We will also ask students to tell us why they’re thankful for URI.
I Heart URI Friday- Students will share what they love most about URI and have a chance to see Rhody at our booth.
Lyon and the Council meet once a week to discuss potential ideas on how they can raise awareness for the Students First Fund, as well as other marketing and promotional ideas supporting other awareness efforts relating to philanthropy. “We worked hard to come up with interactive themes for our booths so that students will get involved as well as learn what we do,” Lyon said.
Look for the council’s rally at the Feb. 20 men’s basketball game, where the organization will offer giveaways, temporary tattoos, foam fingers and more. The philanthropy council is active on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Dominick LaFerrera, an intern in the Department of Marketing & Communications and a communication studies major, wrote this release.