Last week, we mentioned in an email that the Wellesley College Wellesley Fund is donating the keg to Browngiving this year. Lots of you had the same question: "Really?"
I'm happy to confirm that it's true! Browngiving has always been about coming together to enjoy each other's company and cooking for a long food-and-wine-fueled afternoon, and this year it will also be about giving back to communities that are important to us, whether that's by bringing some non-perishables for hungry New Yorkers, or by pledging to ensure a fine experience for current students at Wellesley College, where the Browngiving magic began.
I asked Emily Randall, our Wellesley Fund liaison, to tell us why her organization is Browngiving-back to us.
Is Wellesley really sponsoring the keg? Yep! And no, it's not a leftover brew from Remix, and no one swiped it from the Pub. The Wellesley Fund is excited to help commemorate five years of Browngiving, a holiday that has not only kept so many Wellesley alums connected to one another, but also to our alma mater. Did you know that Browngiving-goers traditionally give back to Mama Wellesley at a higher percentage than your average young alums? Let's look at the numbers:
In 2010-11 (a.k.a. fiscal year 2011), a whopping 64.4% of Browngiving guests made a gift to Wellesley! 20 of those people also made gifts the year before, and 14 Browngiving-goers are 3 year consistent givers. We at The Wellesley Fund do not take that kind of loyal support lightly, and providing a little liquid thank you is the least we can do.
This year we want to make giving to Wellesley as simple and joyous as possible. When once you may have made you $10, $20, $42, or $500 gift to Wellesley all in one mildly painful go, you can now make your gift in monthly installments! If you sign up in November, you have 8 months to make your FY12 gift. For only $6.25 a month you can give $50 to Wellesley; for $12.50 a month, you'll make a $100 gift; even a $500 Durant gift (for '07 alums and younger) is easier to swing in monthly installments of $62.50. We're hoping for at least 10 Browngivers to sign up to make their gifts monthly. Anyone who does will be entered into a raffle to win some great Wellesley swag
You can make your gift online at any time, and we'll have a little info booth on site on Saturday with cash/check/credit giving options, as well an opportunity for you to give for you to share why you do (or do not) choose to give to Wellesley.
With warm thanks and savory holiday wishes,
E. Randall
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