Day of Caring drives campus support

While students lined up at ice cream trucks, grabbed free giveaways and enjoyed music in the spring sun, April 8, something larger was unfolding behind the scenes.

Throughout the day donations climbed as the university’s 11th annual Day of Caring brought a powerful wave of support. By midnight, the numbers told a powerful story: 1,687 donors had raised $692,424.

“It was a celebration all day,” Kristen Welton, associate director for annual giving, said. “We were monitoring everything really closely, and when we hit milestones, we celebrated throughout the day.”

Although this year’s fundraising total was slightly lower than the past two years, the reach met new levels.

“We had a record number of departments and programs and athletic teams funded. This year, we had over 80 different departments receiving donations, which is amazing,” Welton said.

Welton expressed that this tradition is a true all-hands-on-deck effort, bringing the entire campus community into the experience.

“It’s a day that everyone can come together and ask for support and share what’s so special about their program,” Welton said.

That storytelling played a major role in this year’s success.

Welton said that in addition to emails sent to about 40,000 people and campus-wide promotion, organizers encouraged faculty and staff to take a more personal approach.

“Something really exciting we did this year was give faculty and staff tools to connect with their contacts,” Welton said. “Whether it was alumni, friends or family, they could share why their program is important and why it should be supported, and that seemed to really make a difference.”

This new approach led to creative outreach efforts, including personalized messages, phone calls and even videos posted on LinkedIn.

A major driver of the day’s momentum came from the nine Power Hours, where athletic and academic departments and programs competed to secure the most individual donors in a short period of time.

“We had sponsors contribute about $1,000 for most of the Power Hours,” Welton said. “Whichever group had the most donors during that time won that bonus money.”

One of the most meaningful moments came during the 3-4 p.m. Power Hour, when many donors chose to support the swimming and diving team as well as a scholarship program in memory of late Head Coach Tim Quill.

“I’m very happy that they’re doing something like that for him,” health science major Molly Kennedy, a junior and swim athlete, said. “He has a very long legacy here, and he deserves this.”

For Welton, the outpouring of support for Quill was evident, as supporters poured in steady waves of donations and messages throughout the day.

“Just anecdotally, we saw a huge number of donations come in support of Tim Quill and the swimming and diving team,” Welton said. “His spirit continues to be here, and athletes and those who remember him continue to support his memory.”

Donors ranged from alumni to faculty, friends and a handful of local businesses, with contributions of all sizes coming together to make a difference.

Apart from the fundraising efforts driving the day, the Academic Quad carried an upbeat tone. Between classes, students had the opportunity to connect and enjoy the sense of community around them.

“It feels nice to see everyone come together and be outside again,” nursing major Gianna D’Eugenio, a freshman, said.

Looking ahead, Welton hopes Day of Caring continues to grow as both a tradition and a memory for students that stays with them after they cross the stage.

“I just hope it’s something that they remember as one of their Southern memories after they graduate, and then they’ll want to keep participating in some way,” Welton said.