Helping a struggling student can be as easy as texting a donation through your cellphone.
Red Deer College has been running a Student Emergency Bursary Fund that assists when unforeseen circumstances strike, making it hard for students to complete their programs.
For instance, if a car is stolen containing all their textbooks, the fund can help pay for replacements, said Bre Fitzpatrick, RDC’s major gifts officer.
Or if domestic abuse necessitates a change of living arrangement, the fund can help provide first and last month’s rent. “When students are in a jam, we’d like to help,” Fitzpatrick added.
The RDC program has joined other area non-profit groups supporting the Central Alberta Gives Campaign. It raises public awareness of the need to support good causes through volunteerism and/or financial contributions in the lead-up to Giving Tuesday on Nov. 29.
But the Student Emergency Bursary Fund is also launching its own fundraiser this week — a text-to-give campaign. Fitzpatrick said anyone who can text can contribute. All you have to do is send a text to the number 20222 with the word ‘student’ typed in the message space.
You will automatically be billed an additional $5 by your cellphone provider, and this money will be turned over to the bursary fund.
For more information, please call 403-342-3140, or email breanna.fitzpatrick@rdc.ab.ca.