By CHADRON STATE FOUNDATION
CHADRON – Fourteen teams of volunteers with the Chadron State Foundation’s Fall Fund Drive raised a total of $106,227 from donors and supporters of CSC. Sixty-seven volunteers canvassed the Chadron State College campus and surrounding communities in October and gathered at the Bean Broker Nov. 16 to celebrate.
Eight teams representing the CSC campus asked employees to donate to scholarships, programs, and funds of their choice. Six teams of volunteers representing the Chadron community sought philanthropy from organizations, businesses, and individuals in the area.
According to Development Officer Brandon Davenport, the annual Fall Fund Drive includes a competitive element to motivate volunteers and add a spark of fun.
This year’s winning campus team, led by Christine Fullerton, Public Services Librarian, included campus members Laure Sinn, Sandoz Center Program Coordinator, Kate Pope, Project Coordinator, Laura Bentz, Art Professor, and Andrew Smith, IT Technician. The winning community team from the First National Bank of Omaha was led by Brenda Morford and included Jennifer Galbraith, Tony Denke, Amy Hawk, and Bobbie Gill.
Campus teams were led by Fullerton, Kaylee Summers, Christian Miller, Kayla Junge, Britt Helmbrecht, Stacie Mittleider, and Carrie Sayaloune. Community teams were led by Clayton Riesen with Nebraska Bank, Pete Johnson with Homestead Bank, Morford, Bobby Griese with Chadron Community Hospital, Misty Hickstein with Wahlstrom Ford, and Jason Carnahan with Security First Bank.
Co-chairs for the event included Cody Benton with Homestead Bank, Cali Frankovic with Chadron Community Hospital, Kim Hernandez, Assistant Director of CSC Human Resources, and Chantel Merchen, Director of CSC’s Office of Academic Success.
Contributions to this year’s Fall Fund Drive bring the Foundation’s annual campaign total to $180,000, a figure which will continue to increase during the next few months, according to Davenport. The annual campaign encompasses annual gifts and pledges.
This year’s Fall Fund Drive was the first to feature a student showcase. On Oct. 13, about 10 students spoke about their CSC experiences, accomplishments, internships, and research. Some even contributed vocal and guitar performances, and read poetry. The event, in the Student Center, also featured a display of student artwork. Davenport said the Foundation plans for the event to continue in the future.