Student Alumni Association at Charlotte Campus Named 'Outstanding Student Philanthropy' by AFP

July 27, 2009 -- The Charlotte Campus' Student Alumni Association (SAA) was awarded "Outstanding Student Philanthropy" from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Charlotte Chapter, on July 16 as part of the organization's annual National Philanthropy Day®. The AFP committee acknowledged that SAA efforts — from collecting school supplies and books, to raising awareness and building homes — improved the community, while helping those in need.

In the 2008-09 academic year, Charlotte Campus SAA members performed the following philanthropic activities:

• Welcomed new freshmen to the university and the Charlotte community at JWU’s Convocation ceremony; 
• Served as student hosts at the "Charlotte Shout" reception, providing campus tours to guests and collecting school supplies for local students; 
• Worked with the United Service Organization (USO) to plan and execute a thank you benefit thanking returning servicemen for their efforts;
• Collected toiletry and care package items to be donated to the USO in the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, to be sent the men and women serving overseas; 
• Conducts more than 20 private campus tours to various members of the community each year;
• Held their second annual children’s book drive, where more than 100 books were collected and donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Charlotte, the Thompson Child and Family Focus; 
• Sponsored AIDS Awareness month handing out ribbons throughout Dec 2008; 
• Serve as the student hosts at 3 or more Epicurean Society events; 
• Assisted the Charlotte Campus' Development Department with the launch of the Annual Fund Senior Giving campaign, raising emergency scholarship money for students;
• Began a wreath hanging tradition with SAA members and alumni at the JWU annual tree lighting ceremony, where students and the community are invited to attend for hot chocolate, Christmas cookies and pictures with Santa; 
• Delivered 20 bags of chocolates to those living in the 3rd Ward of Charlotte, thanking them for their support of JWU in their community.

Additionally, this summer, SAA members and their peers will work with Habitat for Humanity, helping to build homes for Charlotte residents in need.

National Philanthropy Day® acknowledges the entire spectrum of services provided by the nonprofit community and recognizes the profound impact that philanthropy has on the fabric of society. And, each year AFP honors individuals and groups who, through their hard work and dedication, have enhanced philanthropy, their communities and the world. The awards ceremony will be Nov 18, 2009, 11:30am at the Charlotte Convention Center.