Day of Giving to highlight philanthropy

The University of Detroit Mercy’s annual “Day of Giving” will take place Tuesday, Feb. 15, with alumni panel discussions, a prize raffle and other activities to help celebrate the school’s donors and inform current students about the impact of philanthropy.

The day-long events – both virtual and in-person - are sponsored by the Student Alumni Leadership Council’s philanthropy committee as well as Alumni Relations. 

“Philanthropy is more than just giving away money,” said Jackie Elliot, lead organizer of the event. “Here at University of Detroit Mercy we are committed to service and we want our students to know that giving your time is just as important as giving money.”

Elliot is committed to educating students on the importance of service and she wants this initiative to be accessible and exciting to all students.

One of the many ways students can participate is the passport program. Students must complete and submit proof of each Day of Giving activity they participate in to earn prizes and raffle tickets for a chance to win one of the five gift cards. The more you participate and proof you submit, the more prizes and raffle tickets you earn.

Everyone who participates and submits proof of at least one activity will receive a sheet of Detroit Mercy tech stickers. Students are required to upload proof of participation for each activity.

The in-person events will begin at 11 a.m., which will start outside the dining hall where students will be able to grab a cup of hot cocoa and test their knowledge about philanthropy at Detroit Mercy. At 12 p.m., students can go to the Fountain Lounge to write a thank-you note to a donor and receive a boxed lunch in return, which they can take to a subsequent donor discussion panel.

The last in-person event will conclude back at the dining Hall at 4:30 p.m., with more free cocoa and trivia.

Also, there will be virtual activities starting at 1 p.m., which will include a panel of alumni.

Organizers say they’ll place donor recognition signs across the McNichols, Riverfront, Corktown and Novi Campuses to show how giving has impacted the university.