MOUNT VERNON- This #GivingTuesday, Brewton-Parker received record breaking support from the community. On Monday, Nov. 26, the college launched its 36 hour campaign, and within the first 24 hours, the matching grant of $2,500 from Mount Vernon Bank had been met.
Allan Thigpen, president of Mount Vernon Bank, presents Dr. Echols with $2,500 matching grant.
“We were blown away by the immediate support of friends and family of the college,” stated Chad Ritchie, Director of Advancement. “By noon on Tuesday, we had already exceeded the amount raised last year—and the gifts continued to pour in.”
Due to the generosity of local banks, including Mount Vernon Bank, Altamaha Bank and Trust, Ameris Bank, and People’s Bank, every dollar donated was doubled by their matching grants. This was not the first time that these banks showed such generous support for the college. Just last year, Mount Vernon Bank donated $25,000 to the college’s Rise and Shine capital campaign for the construction of new dorms and renovation of campus facilities.
“I have been amazed and greatly encouraged at the generosity and support of our local banks along with the community in helping us make Giving Tuesday a growing success. BPC is where it is today because of such support through the years, and it is our desire that we might be a blessing to the community even as the community has been a blessing to us. Thanks to those who have continually stood with us, BPC is in a great position to fulfill its mission of seeing the lives of students transformed academically and spiritutally for the glory of God,” said Dr. Steve Echols, president of BPC.
Brett Sammons, president of Altamaha Bank and Trust, presents Dr. Echols with check for $1,000 matching grant.
By the end of #GivingTuesday, Brewton-Parker family and friends had raised over $11,000 for the college’s general fund to provide funding for scholarships, resources for campus enhancements, and opportunities for holistic growth.
Brewton-Parker first joined the #GivingTuesday movement in 2017, and in just one year, it has trippled the number of donors and doubled the amount raised.
“We are excited to see how God will use this campaign in the future as we build on this momentum,” Ritchie stated. “We are already making big plans for next year’s campaign and look forward to seeing how the community will rally around South Georgia’s Christian College. By the blessing of God and the partnership with donors like these, we believe 2019 will be one of the best years Brewton-Parker has ever seen.”
#GivingTuesday is an annual global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. Following Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, next year’s #GivingTuesday will take place on Dec. 3 and will kick off the giving season by inspiring people to collaborate and give back.