By: Huntre Keip ’20, Staff writer
From landscaping to academic scholarships for future and current students, one LVC fundraising program helps all aspects of The College.
Phonathon is a fundraising program that occurs three times in an academic year and lasts for five to six weeks. The program is led by Kelsey Bair-Gross and other assistant managers, but the majority of this fundraiser is run by current students. The students are called Dutchmen Dialers.
Dutchmen Dialers call alumni, parents and friends of LVC to discuss current College events; they politely ask for donations related to past organizations the person may have been involved with at LVC. By calling alumni, students create special bonds while discussing new renovations and academics.
“It is always fun when I call an alum who studied my major at LVC, as I love seeing where the degree led them after graduation,” Kailee Romanchik, a sophomore physical therapy major, said.
Phonathon typically runs Monday through Thursday in the evenings in Laughlin Hall. Each night, Dutchmen Dialers call different giving levels and societies of The College such as, Quittapahilla club, Charter club, Valley club, the Thomas Rhys Vickroy Society and more. The people in these societies are annual donors to LVC.
Dutchmen Dialers also call individuals who may not have given before. For example, on Valentine’s Day, students will call alumni couples. By having a different theme each night, the students find it enjoyable to pick up the phone.
“It’s beneficial for people to donate through Phonathon because it goes directly back to the College,” Romanchik said. “The donations help so many aspects of everyday life for the people at LVC.”
Phonathon provides opportunities and advancements on campus, but it also provides experience for the Dutchmen Dialers.
“Our students do make a difference, especially in terms of learning about fundraising,” Kelsey Bair-Gross, director of leadership and giving, said.
Bair-Gross said more Dutchmen Dialers are needed for the spring semester. For more information, go to La Vie’s website www.lvc.edu/lavie.