With the One Purpose campaign ending Oct. 8, volunteers are asking donors to join them in a final push to raise funds for merit-based scholarships to help outstanding students.
Daniel Costa, a Stanislaus State math major who is one of nearly 170 students who have received a One Purpose scholarship, was among a number of students who attended yesterday’s One Purpose reporting reception. He wanted to meet and thank the volunteers who are a part of the fund raising effort that will award scholarships for the next academic year.
“Receiving a One Purpose scholarship was exciting and unexpected,” Costa said. “It felt really good to know that the Stanislaus community is doing so much for their students — that they are doing all this fundraising for scholarships to encourage students as they strive to get an education.”
Costa’s attendance also allowed this year’s fundraising volunteers to see first-hand the positive impact those scholarships are making.
“The most impressive aspect of the One Purpose campaign this year has been seeing the students who received the scholarships as a result of last year’s effort come forward and tell people what a difference their scholarship has made in their lives,” said Stanislaus State President Joseph F. Sheley. “They motivate us to pursue more scholarships for One Purpose.”
In the fifth week of the campaign, support from the community was demonstrated by several significant gifts including a pledge at the $10,000 level from Donna Pierce of Turlock. Matt and Maria Swanson also made a $10,000 pledge of support for this year’s campaign. Last year, the Swansons demonstrated their confidence in Stanislaus State students with a $250,000 gift to the One Purpose endowment. This year, the 2015 seed gift was made by the Gemperle family and Gemperle Family Farms. Future earnings from the endowment will supplement the dollars raised by volunteers during the six-week campaign.
The top volunteer for Week 5 was James Brenda, who reported $12,000 in pledges of support for student scholarships. The combined efforts of volunteers have brought the campaign total to $214,200.
Community members have only seven more days to make a contribution that will have a direct impact on a student. Volunteers will be actively sharing the message of One Purpose and asking members to join the effort — more information about how to make a contribution can be found on the One Purpose website. And, with a high number of Stanislaus State students and graduates living and working in the region, an investment in One Purpose scholarships translates into an investment in the region.
“This is a great cause and an impressive effort,” said One Purpose volunteer Dale Butler. “A lot of students have a need for support — and they are students who excel academically. We hear from the students themselves that every scholarship dollar makes a difference.”
Frank Borrelli, Stanislaus State support services manager, is leading 12 teams of volunteers that include University faculty, staff, alumni and community members. He said volunteers and donors have been motivated to invest in One Purpose because of the focus on outstanding students and their potential to transform the region.
“Every single person who has seen the faces of the students is motivated to fundraise for scholarships because they get to see the product of their work,” Borrelli said. “The most important and motivating part of this campaign is that we are doing this for the students. One Purpose volunteers are focused on helping them achieve success, which makes a difference for the future of our Valley.”
Those interested in more information — or in giving to One Purpose — can contact the Division of University Advancement at (209) 667-3131 or visit www.csustan.edu/one-purpose.