Big spending on Black Friday and Cyber Monday did not stop people from being generous on Giving Tuesday.
Laurentian University and Cambrian College each set out to raise funds on Nov. 27, and combined to bring in more than $130,000.
The Cambrian College Foundation set a target of $10,000 for student financial aid, the student food bank, equipment renewal, and programming. That goal was eclipsed by mid-morning and by the end of the day, more than $51,000 had been raised directly, a new record for the Foundation.
But the total grew from there. Eligible Giving Tuesday donations were then matched dollar-for-dollar, through Cambrian's Gift Matching Program. It's a special fund made up of donations, to be used to boost fundraising efforts.
That brings the total amount of money raised through Giving Tuesday to $74,220.
"Each year more donors, corporate partners, vendors, alumni, staff, faculty, students and friends are joining together to support Cambrian and its students," said Cambrian's Director of Development and Alumni, Brandi Braithwaite.
"We are truly in awe of our supporters and the amazing impact they have all made this Giving Tuesday. Their gifts are going to leave a lasting effect."
More than 100 individuals, organizations, and businesses donated to the Foundation throughout the day.
"This year's total is incredible, and it shows how deep our roots go in the community," said Cambrian President Bill Best, who donated $1,000.
"Many of our donors have a personal connection to Cambrian. A lot of them remember what it was like to be a student, and I think they want to ensure our students have every opportunity to succeed like they did."
Stacey Plouffe is one of those students. Plouffe is in the second year of her General Business program, and returned to school as a mature student, with financial help from the Cambrian College Foundation.
"I'm a mom and a wife, and the bursaries I receive definitely help me maintain my finances while I go to schol, so that my family can have a brighter future."
Every year, the Cambrian College Foundation distributes more than $700,000 in scholarships and bursaries to students.
Cambrian wasn't alone in their Giving Tuesday initiative, as Laurentian University issued a challenge to the Laurentian community to raise funds in support of mental health awareness and wellness on campus. In 24 hours, Laurentian alumni, students, staff, faculty, retirees and partners raised a total of $56,593.
Nov. 27 marked the fourth consecutive year that Laurentian University participated in the global initiative. The funds raised this year will help create Laurentian-branded stress kits for students who are feeling overwhelmed and in need of coping strategies or resources.
"The goal was to raise enough funds to purchase 2000 stress kits, but the Laurentian community came together in a big way to exceed that goal," said Tracy MacLeod, Chief Advancement Officer at Laurentian University.
"Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we will be able to purchase approximately 2540 kits to provide stress relief to current students."
The stress kits will be assembled by various student groups on campus and distributed during midterms and final exams.
"Laurentian University is committed to offering students the supports they need to thrive and to succeed,î said Interim President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University Dr. Pierre Zundel.
"On behalf of the University, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make our 2018 Giving Tuesday campaign an overwhelming success. Your support will make a difference in the lives of many students."
Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving that happens each year after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It is a time when Canadians, charities and businesses come together to celebrate giving and participate in activities that support charities and non-profits.
And finally, Huntington University kicked off their season of giving on Nov. 27 as they work alongside March of Dimes Canada in support of long-term housing geared to people living with brain injury.
Huntington supports the Move-A-Head capital campaign through an awareness campaign and gifting the donation that comes of their annual tree lighting campaign. On Tuesday, Nov. 27, Huntington University president Dr. Kevin McCormick announced a festive donation of $2,500 to kick things off.
The university will host their annual tree lighting on the grounds of Huntington University (935 Ramsey Lake Rd.) at 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 3.
