ORANGEBURG, S.C. — As the season of giving continues, Claflin University is hoping people will find it in their hearts to invest in its student programs on Giving Tuesday.
“On Giving Tuesday, people open up their hearts and give their time, talent, and treasure to things that mean a lot to them," said Claflin University Interim Vice President Marcus Burgess.
This Giving Tuesday, the university aims to raise $50,000 dollars. Proceeds will go towards the Claflin fund benefitting the school's various scholarships and academic programs.
“We have a number of alumni and friends who wanna support their own individual endowments. Athletics, the choir, so we want you to just open up your hearts and give to something that means a lot to you," said Burgess.
Burgess says Claflin's largest fundraising year was in 2019, when it raised $116,000 for need-based scholarships.
“At the end of the day, we wanted to help those students who needed that gap for the second semester, so those funds helped those students who didn’t have any other ways to go, but through that charitable donation that many of our alumni and friends gave during that year," Burgess said.
Alumni, students, and community members alike are being challenged to donate this year.
"We're encouraging everyone. If you have a heart for the underprivileged, or the underserved or you have a heart for higher education, we are encouraging each and every one of you to make a gift tomorrow."
People can donate over the phone by calling (803) 535-5357, or donate online. They can also text CUGiving to (844) 596-3403. Donations are being accepted from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday.