According to Executive Director of the Vincennes University Foundation and Senior Director of Institutional Advancement Kristi Deetz, “Blazers Give is really a celebration of Vincennes University. April 8 is an opportunity to show our gratitude for the VU community - an amazing community of students, parents, faculty and staff, partners, alumni, and friends - and invite them to join us by showing their Trailblazer spirit. Throughout the day we will feature messages from the people and programs of VU. We hope that by sharing these stories on our social media, others are inspired to gift their time, talent, and resources to support our students and further the mission of Vincennes University."

Supporters are encouraged to be the spark that starts BLAZERS GIVE. With more than 600 scholarships and funds supporting students, academic programs, and activities, online giving is an easy and exciting way to support high-quality education, life-changing opportunities, and transformational experiences. 

The Vincennes University Foundation has established the BLAZERS GIVE Fund to support the University’s greatest needs: student scholarships and academic program development. The fund helps remove barriers to success and assists students in achieving their greatest potential. 

The VU community of alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents, and friends are encouraged to come together on this collective day of giving by donating to the BLAZERS GIVE Fund, the academic area of their choice, or a specific program or scholarship. Every donor and dollar has a positive impact.

Gifts make a meaningful difference in the lives of VU students like Lily Sikora of Carmel, Indiana. Receiving scholarship funds from VU is allowing Sikora to fulfill a dream she has had since first grade: to become a music teacher.

Sadly, Sikora’s father passed away three years ago. The Music major has continued on her chosen educational path without financial worry due to the generosity of VU supporters.

“It took a lot of stress off of my mom in order for me to have the safety net of having my school pretty much paid for,” she said. “It has helped us be able to send me to school without being in debt for the rest of our lives. It covers my tuition. It has allowed me to take extra classes. It also helps a lot with my housing.”

Sikora’s future plans include transferring to a university where she can pursue a bachelor’s degree in Music Education, then returning to the Vincennes area to teach elementary or middle school music.

“Music is what has really helped me throughout school and my life,” she said. “Music has a special place in my heart and will always mean the world to me.

“The Music faculty here is incredible. You get one-on-one attention and that is what I really enjoy about VU. I am a big believer in creating and building relationships. I like being at VU because it is small and you really get that opportunity to build personal relationships.”

Beginning at midnight and running through 11:59 p.m. (ET) on April 8, online giving will be open. Donors can go to www.vinu.edu/give to make an online donation. Gifts of any size are appreciated.

Supporters can join in the celebration early by signing up to become a Blazers Give Ambassador. Ambassadors help spread the word about Blazers Give Day. 

Also before the big day, the public and VU students are invited to participate on Monday, April 5, at 11 a.m. EDT in a Zoom talk about civic engagement with Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IUPUI Associate Professor Dr. Genevieve Shaker. She will share information about civic engagement and cultivating lifelong philanthropic habits. 

Multiple activities are planned for April 8 to celebrate Blazers Give Day highlighting how donors can support the University’s mission. Supporters are invited to visit a tent near the fountain along Indianapolis Avenue and show their spirit by taking photos, recording a message, or writing a thank you. The day will feature Facebook Live events and extensive social media posts. 

Donors can also participate by using #BLAZERSGIVE on social media. Blazers Give 2021 signs can be downloaded and printed for use in photographs.

Trailblazers support Trailblazers, and there are many ways to show support and pride for VU.

Giving includes much more than donating money. Blazers Give Day is a way of uniting to strengthen Vincennes University and for Trailblazers to celebrate the importance of community and embracing a greater good.

For more information or questions about Blazers Give Day, explore https://www.vinu.edu//blazersgive or the Vincennes University Foundation can be reached at vufoundation@vinu.edu or 812-888-4510.

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