STCC joins GivingTuesday to help students get textbooks

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Springfield Technical Community College will participate in GivingTuesday on Dec. 1 with the theme “STCC to the Books,” an initiative to help defray the cost of textbooks for students.

“For GivingTuesday this year, we are highlighting donations to fund our Mary Kileen-Bennett Book Scholarship fund, so donors can support us with gifts around the costs of textbooks,” said Kelly Galanis, director of Operations & Donor Relations at STCC.

GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and their world. GivingTuesday will kick off the generosity season this year by inspiring people to give back on Dec. 1, and throughout the year.

The STCC Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps the college goals and commitment to provide superior educational opportunities in the community, is seeking contributions from corporate and private-sector support as well as individuals.

Galanis said books are essential tools needed for students to complete their studies. The average cost of books and supplies for students at a two-year public college is reported to be $1,328 per year.

Jennifer Brown, chairwoman of the 2020 Board of Directors and the STCC Foundation Development Committee, said students need support now more than ever.

“It’s been a difficult year for everyone, including STCC students,” Brown said. “Many students have lost income or struggled to find a job to help pay for classes and books at STCC. By supporting STCC on GivingTuesday, you’re helping students transform their lives.”

It’s been a difficult year for everyone, including STCC students. Many students have lost income or struggled to find a job to help pay for classes and books at STCC. By supporting STCC on GivingTuesday, you’re helping students transform their lives. Jennifer Brown, STCC Foundation Development Committee

The STCC Foundation is suggesting alumni, parents, faculty and staff and friends of STCC to consider making a gift of $55.33 in support of students’ efforts to transform their lives. The number represents the average cost a student would pay for books in two weeks. A donor who would want to pay a month’s value of the cost of books for a student could contribute $110.66.

“Some of our students rent their textbooks, some buy hard copies, others opt to buy the electronic version,” Galanis said. “Regardless of the format STCC students choose for their textbooks, books are still one of the tools every student is required to have. Your impactful gift will be bundled together with others to help our students afford the education and transformation they seek.”

GivingTuesday was launched in 2012 as a simple idea: to create a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past seven years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

People demonstrate generosity in many ways on GivingTuesday. Whether it’s helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving to causes we care about, every act of generosity counts. GivingTuesday has raised billions of dollars for critical causes around the world and gets 14.2 billion impressions on social media from people and organizations speaking up for the causes that matter to them and encouraging others to get involved.

"GivingTuesday inspires people all around the world to embrace their power to drive progress around the causes they care about, not just on one day but throughout the year." said Asha Curran, GivingTuesday’s CEO, and co-founder. "With country and community leaders, millions of organizations, and countless givers of all kinds, GivingTuesday is creating a shared space where we can see the radical implications of a more generous world."

Those who are interested in joining STCC Foundation’s GivingTuesday initiative can visit stcc.edu/give/giving-tuesday/

STCC will post GivingTuesday updates on social media on Dec. 1. Visit facebook.com/springfield-technical-community-college, twitter.com/s_t_c_c  and Instagram.com/stccpics

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequalled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu