Despite fears the economic downturn would hinder charitable giving, Ogeechee Technical College surpassed their goal during this year’s annual iGot fundraising campaign.
With checks coming in just minutes before the final tally was revealed, a total of $246,507 was raised for the OTC Foundation Wednesday.
“Obviously we are very excited. The total speaks volumes about the commitment of everyone out there in the community,” said president of the OTC Foundation Rachel Edwards. “Going into the campaign we were hopeful we’d have numbers even close to what we had last year. When we came in with the number today, it was a great surprise for all of us. We’re really excited about all the things we’ll be able to continue to do for the students at Ogeechee Tech.”
Beth Mathews, OTC vice-president for institutional advancement, said donors can earmark contributions for specific programs to fund scholarships for students in a particular course of study or they can simply give to the general foundation and let the foundation board use the monies for pressing needs.
“Scholarships is one of big things — this year we gave 37 scholarships to our students,” Mathews said. “A lot of our students come to us needing money for clinical and the like, so we help our students with emergency funds. We also do faculty and staff development and purchases for our programs when state and tuition monies can’t pay for the equipment our staff needs to train our students — they come to foundation for those needs as well.”
OTC President Dawn Cartee said everyone involved with OTC — from the foundation and trustees to the faculty and staff — is energized by the response from the community and happy that local individuals and businesses alike believes in and supports what OTC does.
“Bottom line, our mission is very simple — work force development. When potential students walk though our door to enroll then complete a course of study, they’re going to work,” Cartee said. “What that puts back into our community, from a work force standpoint, speaks monumentally towards improving our quality of life.”
With checks coming in just minutes before the final tally was revealed, a total of $246,507 was raised for the OTC Foundation Wednesday.
“Obviously we are very excited. The total speaks volumes about the commitment of everyone out there in the community,” said president of the OTC Foundation Rachel Edwards. “Going into the campaign we were hopeful we’d have numbers even close to what we had last year. When we came in with the number today, it was a great surprise for all of us. We’re really excited about all the things we’ll be able to continue to do for the students at Ogeechee Tech.”
Beth Mathews, OTC vice-president for institutional advancement, said donors can earmark contributions for specific programs to fund scholarships for students in a particular course of study or they can simply give to the general foundation and let the foundation board use the monies for pressing needs.
“Scholarships is one of big things — this year we gave 37 scholarships to our students,” Mathews said. “A lot of our students come to us needing money for clinical and the like, so we help our students with emergency funds. We also do faculty and staff development and purchases for our programs when state and tuition monies can’t pay for the equipment our staff needs to train our students — they come to foundation for those needs as well.”
OTC President Dawn Cartee said everyone involved with OTC — from the foundation and trustees to the faculty and staff — is energized by the response from the community and happy that local individuals and businesses alike believes in and supports what OTC does.
“Bottom line, our mission is very simple — work force development. When potential students walk though our door to enroll then complete a course of study, they’re going to work,” Cartee said. “What that puts back into our community, from a work force standpoint, speaks monumentally towards improving our quality of life.”