A total of over $81,000 was raised for 24 local charities that the club co-sponsored with the Michigan State University credit union and the Capital Region Community Foundation of Lansing, Mich. The club’s website was used to collect “votes” for favorite charities with $5 tax-deductible donations. The grand prize won by the Lansing Symphony Orchestra included a $10,000 credit toward a fundraiser at the club.
The Michigan State University community may be feeling disappointed that the Michigan State Spartans men’s basketball team failed to make the Final Four in the NCAA tournament. But 24 local charities have been given some good feelings that may help to soften the blow, after they were awarded a total of $81,565 from the recently completed 2014 “Big Bang-quet” Challenge co-sponsored by the University Club of
Michigan State University’s with the Michigan State University Federal Credit Union and the Capital Region Community Foundation of Lansing, Mich.
Through the charity drive, the public “voted” for favorite charities at the University Club’s website from February 1 through March 24 while giving $5, tax-deductible donations to the Capital
Region Community Foundation. The drive was supported by participating charities that encouraged their supporters to help them earn enough votes to win one of three top prizes offered through the Challenge.
At the Final Voting & Reveal Reception held at the club on Tuesday, March 25, the Lansing Symphony Orchestra was awarded the grand prize—a $10,000 credit toward a fundraising event at the University Club, plus $8,534 earned from supporters’ votes.
In second place was Lansing Promise, an educational non-profit, which received a $5,000 credit towards a fundraising event held at the club to go along with $6,438.75 earned from its supporters’ votes.
The Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center received the award for the most individual voters, to earn a $5,000 event credit at the Club and $4,870.50 from their votes.
Overall, 12,313 votes were cast through the Challenge, raising a total of $61,565 for the 24 participants and the Capital Region Community Foundation, plus $20,000 in prizes. Every participating charity was a winner, receiving 85% of funds raised through voting.
(A full list of participants, and voting results can be found at www.universityclubofmsu.org)
“It’s so rewarding to see not only our U-Club members, but also the community supporting theBig Bang-quet Challenge,” said Patrick McPharlin, President and CEO of the Michigan State University Federal Credit Union and a Vice President of the University Club.
“The program has grown every year, and we are very proud of the impact it hasmade in our community,” McPharlin added.
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