The response to The University of Connecticut’s Sandy Hook School Memorial Scholarship Fund continues to be overwhelmingly generous, as more than 3,700 donors contributed more than $660,000 by early Wednesday, Jan. 2 to support college costs for siblings of those killed in the assault, the dependents of the adults who also lost their lives, and students currently enrolled at Sandy Hook School, who are accepted to attend the University.
“The response has been incredibly heartwarming,” says UConn President Susan Herbst. “It shows that people’s natural response to such a terrible tragedy is to find some way to help, and the transformational gift of higher education is a meaningful and respectful way to accomplish that.”
The scholarship fund was started with a donation by Hall of Fame UConn women’s basketball Coach Geno Auriemma in the wake of the terrible tragedy at the Newtown elementary school in which 20 children and six adult staffers lost their lives. The fund has received donations as small as $10 and as large as $25,000, with money coming from individuals, businesses, and even collections taken at holiday parties, according to the UConn Foundation.
More than $326,000 has been raised through the Foundation’s text message and online giving options. Donations have been received from across the United States and Canada, with more than $110,000 coming from Hartford-area corporations.
How to Give:
Via text: Donors may contribute to the fund by texting 50555 with uconn newtown. University alumni should also add their name and graduation year. For example: uconn newtown John Smith 88. $10.00 donation to support the University of Connecticut Foundation through the mGive Foundation. Charges will appear on your wireless bill, or be deducted from your prepaid balance. All purchases must be authorized by account holder. Must be 18 years of age or have parental permission to participate. Message and Data Rates May Apply. Text STOP to 50555 to STOP. Text HELP to 50555 for HELP. Full Terms and Privacy Policy: s.uconn.edu/txt.
Online giving page: You may make a gift on the secure online giving site, (http://www.friends.uconn.edu/sandyhook)
By mail: Mail your check to the UConn Foundation at 2390 Alumni Drive Unit 3206, Storrs, CT 06269-3206. Please note on your check that the gift is for the “Sandy Hook School Memorial Scholarship Fund.”
For more information, please go to www.foundation.uconn.edu/sandyhook.
About the UConn Foundation
The University of Connecticut Foundation, Inc.’s mission is to solicit, receive, and administer gifts and financial resources from private sources for the benefit of all campuses and programs of the University of Connecticut. The Foundation operates exclusively to promote the educational, scientific, cultural, and recreational objectives of the University. For more information, please visit www.foundation.uconn.edu.
