Written by Abbey Williams // Photo by Briley Kemper
Gather to Give is a coordinated, 24-hour fundraising event across campus with multiple departments involved. This event took place Feb. 20, prioritizing 25 projects. Students, alumni, faculty and staff were encouraged to participate.
Harding Fund Director Sheryl Ragland said the goal was for about 1,000 people to give, no matter the amount.
“Students can make a big impact on that number, and we would love for each of the prioritized projects to reach their goal,” Ragland said. “The Harding nation can give to any area of the University, but our colleges and several programs across campus have identified 25 projects to prioritize. When you tell people what you need the most, then you have more opportunities to meet your goal.”
Ragland said each project could be seen with a description at harding.edu/GatherToGive. She said Gather to Give is a great way to bring all of Harding together.
“Gather to Give brings together Harding alumni, family, friends, faculty, staff and students to raise awareness of ways to support our students, from enhancing study spaces to fostering research, scholarship and community,” Ragland said. “Together, we can continue the legacy of quality Christian education started in 1924.”
Student Government Association Vice President Luke Ziegler said Harding students could enjoy events like this.
“I think initiatives like this carry a distinct Harding ethos,” Zeigler said. “As a college student, I know how thinly stretched resources can be, but I know the Harding community loves events like this. I’ve seen many service projects and charity events during my time here, and each time, I am so impressed by everyone’s servant-heartedness and willingness to serve in whatever capacity that may be.”
Zeigler said students could get involved in this event in multiple ways.
“Students can participate in Gather to Give by giving monetarily, sharing the information with friends and family, and most importantly, through prayer,” Zeigler said.
Assistant Provost Andrea Morris said Gather to Give provides the opportunity to love one another.
“I want our students to know that in Jeremiah 29:7, God says ‘I have put you in a particular place for a period of time,’” Morris said. “We believe scripture really demonstrates over and over that when you care for one another, you love on one another. That’s not something that Harding created. That’s something we want to live into that our Lord is guiding us toward. Gather to Give provides us an opportunity to do that.”
Morris said this opportunity was a way everyone could be intentional about giving back to Harding.
“It takes a level of investment from all of us to make this place work, to make it flow,” Morris said. “That requires all of us to pour into it, and this is a way we can do it tangibly. One dollar is not too small, and it demonstrates a level of intentionality and a level of commitment.”
