West Virginia University at Parkersburg will participate in the day-long global fundraising initiative #GivingTuesday on November 27. Following Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday is a day of giving created to harness the collective power of individuals and communities through philanthropy.

On #GivingTuesday, WVU Parkersburg will collect funds for students and student-based programs that support all members of the WVU Parkersburg community, providing a variety of opportunities for students to learn, grow and be successful throughout their college career and beyond.

“This is our first time to participate in #GivingTuesday, and we are excited to see how engaged our community will be in supporting the important mission of the university,” said Keith Gaskin, vice president of Institutional Advancement. “Those who choose to give, at any level, will make a difference in student lives today, knowing they will have an impact on generations to come.”

Founded in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y – a community and cultural center in New York City − #GivingTuesday inspired millions of people to give back and support the causes they believe in. Over $300 million was raised online to benefit a tremendously broad range of organizations, and much more was given in volunteer hours, donations of food and clothing, and acts of kindness.

Donations of any size can be made on the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation webpage http://foundation.wvup.edu/, where donors can make a contribution through the Network for Good or PayPal™.

Donations collected through #GivingTuesday will support the Annual Fund which provides scholarships, faculty and staff development, technology upgrades and learning tools, career development programs and much more.

Alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends of the college are all welcome and encouraged to participate.

For more information, contact WVU Parkersburg Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Keith Gaskin at lgaskin@wvup.edu or 901.238.8238.