When Lakers were asked to help our students during the Covid Crisis they answered the call.
Back in late May, the LSSU Foundation became aware that approximately 280 students had been identified that may be experiencing some barriers to attending Lake State. These challenges could include; food and housing insecurities, travel incidentals like a tank of gas and for international students: flight expenses. It was determined some of these students may not qualify for assistance from the federal government’s CARES act.
In response, a mini-fundraising campaign was initiated with a goal to raise $20,000 in the support of the Bud Mansfield Student Emergency Fund that was established in 2001 by the Mansfield family. The goal of the fund is to assist students with immediate needs when all other financial aid opportunities have been exhausted.
Taking these factors into account, the Mask and Mask Campaign was launched by the LSSU Foundation on June 1, 2020. It was determined that any donors making a gift of $30 or more would be recognized by receiving a LSSU-themed protective mask. Further, the Foundation allocated $10,000 as a challenge grant to the campaign if donors collectively achieved total donations in excess of $10,000 by August 10, 2020.
Here are the results:
The Foundation received a surge of donations following the posting of Governor Whitmer wearing a LSSU mask on the Foundation and University’s social media and web-pages.
“This was a phenomenal response by alumni and friends of Lake State, especially the over one-hundred first-time donors,” said Tom Coates, Executive Director ~ LSSU Foundation. “This was a total team effort by the Foundation Board and staff along with assistance from Student Life lead by Sharmay Wood.”
If you would like to support the Bud Mansfield Emergency Fund go to: foundation.lssu.edu/student-emergency-fund/.