Watts College contributions on Sun Devil Giving Day more than double since '19; dozens join in 5K 'Run-Walk-Roll-Serve' event
The COVID-19 pandemic’s limitations on public gatherings didn’t restrict donor enthusiasm this spring for ASU’s Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.
Donors came through with their cash and with their presence in two activities held during one week. One, a day of giving, was designed to show financial support for the college. The other, a first-time event, gave supporters the chance to put their muscles and wallets to work in a 5K run-walk that raised money for charity.
Watts College received more than $13,000 in contributions on Thursday, March 18, Sun Devil Giving Day, which attracted dozens of ASU supporters to contribute financially to the university. Watts College received gifts from 139 donors that day, which exceeded its goal of 100. Contributions supported several areas within the college, but the focus in 2021 was on emergency funding, assisting students facing unique hardships to help them continue their educational paths.
The 2021 totals were more than double the amount raised and number of donors who participated in 2019’s Giving Day. In 2019, $5,480 was raised from 62 contributors, according to the ASU Foundation for a New American University. Sun Devil Giving Day was not held in 2020.
The day kicked off with a streamed online cooking demonstration starring Watts College Dean Jonathan Koppell. “Cooking Up Community Solutions” featured Koppell wearing a chef’s toque blanche and white apron. He prepared a classic pancake recipe while telling viewers about the college’s many accomplishments and offerings.
Koppell’s 30-minute demonstration – which included his rendition of comedian Dan Aykroyd’s impersonation of legendary TV chef Julia Child – can be viewed on YouTube.
The giving switched to time and talent on Saturday, March 20, when 136 people signed up to participate in the Watts 5K Run-Walk-Roll-Serve event. Participants were asked to register to complete a 5K individually, wherever they were, using whatever method they chose. Proceeds totaling nearly $1,900 went to support the Valley of the Sun United Way.
The 5K was combined with the college’s traditional spring volunteer event, the Day of Service, in which students, faculty and staff donate their time to perform a particular community service project.
“Combining these two events seemed to be a good choice given the ongoing challenges of social distancing and groups gathering together,” said Dale Larsen, the college’s community relations director and professor of practice in its School of Community Resources and Development. “Based on this year’s success, we definitely plan to promote a similar event in the future.”
Larsen also thanked the Watts College United Way Committee for producing the 5K during challenging times wrought by the pandemic.
Mark J. Scarp is the media relations officer for the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.
Photo at top: Laura Thede, Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions associate director, academic personnel, and her husband, Tye, in a photo taken in their neighborhood March 20 during the Watts 5K Run-Walk-Roll-Serve event. More than 130 people registered to participate in the event. Photo courtesy of Laura Thede