Pirate Nation’s 8th day of giving will be March 20
No matter who they are, where they are or how much they give, East Carolina University is calling for everyone to be all hands on deck in support of Pirate Nation Gives.
ECU will celebrate its eighth annual day of giving on Wednesday, March 20. Pirate Nation Gives is a 24-hour online fundraising event encouraging alumni, friends, faculty, staff, parents and students to unite and support the university.
“No matter where you are in the world, you are a part of the Pirate Nation. This is our moment to be all hands on deck to make an impact on the university,” said Christopher Dyba, vice chancellor for university advancement. “No matter the size of the gift, everyone can support ECU’s pursuit to be a national model for student success, public service and regional transformation.”
Last year’s event, during the final year of the Pursue Gold campaign, set new records with 2,300 donors raising more than $11.8 million. This year aims to focus on and continue to build participation while demonstrating the impact of donor support.
Throughout the university new signage denotes the influence of philanthropic efforts allowing students, faculty and staff to see that many of the institution’s buildings, services, facilities and programs are made possible by donors.
A PeeDee squishmallow stuffed toy search and philanthropy honor cords for graduating Pirates are planned to boost involvement on campus. Students can participate in activities from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the main campus and medical campus student centers.
Priorities for this year’s Pirate Nation Gives include student scholarships, experiential learning opportunities, study abroad programs, health care initiatives, athletics and program support. However, donors can make gifts to any area they feel passionate about.
Every gift makes an impact for ECU. Scholarships provide access to a top-tier education, donations to programs expand service and outreach opportunities and learning experiences open doors for students to pursue their dreams after graduation.
As a result of Pirate Nation Gives donations, students have experiencial learning opportunities away from campus like studying gray whales in Mexico, meeting corporate leaders in New York City and the Brinkley-Lane Scholars’ second-year trip to Washington.
Throughout Wednesday, leaderboards on the Pirate Nation Gives website will track support for areas of campus and encourage giving with a competitive spirit. Numerous social media challenges will give participants the opportunity to win bonus money for their favorite ECU area or fund.
Champions of the university have answered the call by establishing numerous challenges for donors, which, when fulfilled, will unlock additional gifts supporting scholarships and programs across all disciplines. Details about each challenge and ways to participate are outlined in the Pirate Nation Gives blog.
Alumni and friends also are serving as ambassadors for the event, using their social media networks to boost awareness and share their reasons for supporting ECU.
“I had a terrific experience at ECU, and I want to ensure that other students have similar opportunities to learn and succeed that I did,” said PNG ambassador Jamie Maniscalco ’11. “Pirate Nation Gives allows all of us, who care about ECU, a chance to give back. I am excited to be supporting the Center for Survey Research in the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences and I hope friends and classmates will join me in this day of giving.”
Donations for Pirate Nation Gives will be counted online beginning at 12 a.m. Wednesday, March 20. Gifts can be made by visiting the university’s giving website.