By NICK VILLALOBOS, Staff Reporter
The 2016 Thank-a-Thon is Oct. 24-26 and the Northwestern Foundation and Alumni Association is still needing volunteers.
In 2015, the Thank-a-Thon had over 200 volunteers participate with the event. This year however, only about 40 has signed up thus far, according to Tandy Keenan, Northwestern Foundation relationship manager.
Volunteers were responsible for thanking just over 1880 donors in 2015 as well.
Keenan considers this event to be the largest and the most important to the foundation.
“Thank-a-Thon goes towards our mission of bridging donors passions with our student’s successes,” Keenen said. “Not only does it give the donors the appreciation they need for helping the students, but it gives the students the opportunity to come face to face with the donors of their scholarships as well.”
The annual event allows students the opportunity to thank donors for their generosity towards the university by sending them handwritten letters or making phone calls.
One Northwestern student that has helped with Thank-a-Thon for many years, and has already committed to helping again this year is Kaci Hansen, senior early childhood education major.
Hanson is a current recipient of the Taylor/Barker scholarship and said she is beyond thankful for it.
“The scholarships are crucial to my success here at Northwestern,” Hansen said. “Coming into college, I had no idea these were a possibility, but they have relieved stress from both my family and myself.”
Hansen encourages other students that receive scholarships from generous donors to take part in the Thank-a-Thon event as well. “Even if you come for one night, you make a huge impact and leave feeling thankful,” Hansen said.
Thank-a-Thon will be 5-8:30 p.m. Oct. 24-27 in the Student Center Ballroom. Any student interested in volunteering should contact Keenan at trkeenan@nwosu.edu or 580-327-8592.