Last Tuesday was Giving Tuesday, an annual global generosity movement where people donate money in support of a cause. This year, the Arkansas State University community raised money for the Student Emergency Fund, which provides temporary financial aid to students in need.

“The Student Emergency Fund is for students who are in jeopardy. So if they need $500 or they won’t graduate from the university, then the Student Philanthropy Council votes on their application and we say ‘Hey, here’s how many dollars so that you’ll be able to walk across that stage’,” said Tianna Matthews, a senior psychology major from West Memphis who serves as the director of public relations for the Student Philanthropy Council.

The Student Philanthropy Council led the event, but they worked closely with the A-State Alumni Association. Students could donate through the A-State Alumni Association website.

“The Student Philanthropy Council has a big role in Giving Tuesday, like last year, even though it was set in place by the Cooper Alumni Center. We came up with events like the Cash Cab and we did that again this year to really try to get donations from everybody, including students,” Matthews said.

To raise money before Giving Tuesday began, the Student Philanthropy Council sold hot chocolate outside the Reng Student Union. In addition, they also hosted Cash Cab, where students could pay $5 to be driven to their classes.

The event aimed to raise $12,000 for the Student Emergency Fund. They ended up raising $13,455, exceeding their goal by over $1,400. There were 203 donors from all across the country.

If people donated $20 or more, they received a “Back to the Pack” T-shirt. 

“I gave $25 because I wanted to help students and get another A-State T-shirt to support my beloved Red Wolves,” said Allison McElroy, an alumni who majored in radio/TV. McElroy made her gift to the School of Media and Journalism. 

Of those donors, 69% were alumni, 29% were faculty and staff, 1% were students and 1% were friends of A-State.

“Our family donates to this fund every year on Giving Tuesday. We believe in this program and have seen firsthand how it helps students,” said Jennifer Salo, director of the Emerging Scholars Program. I hope our donation helps enable more students to persist with their studies and ultimately attain their college degree.”

According to the A-State Alumni Association website, the Student Emergency Fund has helped more than 330 students and awarded more than $122,000.

“It helps the A-State community because it helps A-State students,” Matthews said. “The Student Philanthropy Council is students helping students, so when people donate to the student emergency fund, we are helping Red Wolves in need.”

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