The Chadron State Foundation says its annual Fall Fund Drive in October raised $101,984 for student scholarships and college programs.
Foundation Director of Development and Fall Campaign coordinator Jake Rissler says the total is similar to last year – which was the goal despite the impacts of the pandemic.
The fall campaign is aimed at northwest Nebraska, using 20 teams of volunteers – nearly 120 individuals this year – with 10 from the campus and 10 from the community. Rissler says it benefits the college in more ways than just money.
There are 2 co-chairs for the campus and community serving staggered 2 year terms. This year’s campus co-chairs were Shaunda French-Collins in her second year and Taylor Osmotherly with Trish Martens and returnee Gabby Michna for the community.
The volunteers this year were assigned potential donors with prizes awarded to the top teams based on a point system. Clayton Riesen of Farmers State Bank chaired the winning community team of Pam Strotheide, Angela Harris, and Tammy Davies.
The winning campus team was chaired by Dr Brittany Helmbrecht and included her husband, Director of College Relations Alex Helmbrecht, along with Dr Dawn Brammer, Brenda Barry-Schommer, John Murphy, and Dr Lorie Hunn.
Students from Dr French-Collins’ Communication Campaigns course created the theme and logo as well as radio print ads, then did an analysis of the campaign for their final course project.
Rissler says the Foundation sends out a sincere “thank you” to all the donors and all the volunteers because their gifts and efforts support the life of the college.