An anonymous donor has pledged to give $100,000 to PC if 800 gifts are made to the College on Friday, May 29.

The 800-gift, or “One PC, One Family” Challenge, is an incentive for alumni, faculty and staff, students, friends, and parents of the College to participate on Giving Day, an annual 24-hour fundraising campaign.

“It sounds like a cliche, but it really is true that support from our PC family is needed more than ever,” said Amanda Dowdle, director of Annual Giving. “COVID-19 has left no one untouched. This is our day to rally together and show our students, faculty and staff, that we are here for them.

“A strong showing from those who can help during this time will help immensely so that we can continue to offer the education and experience that makes PC the special place it is.”

According to Dowdle, challenges on Giving Day are significant because they increase the impact of donations and drive participation. Regardless of the size of the donation, a donor’s gift matters.

More Giving Day Challenges

The 800-donor challenge is only one of many incentives scheduled for Giving Day.

140 Gifts by 10:00 AM!

This challenge is similar to the 800-donor challenge because it increases the impact of donors’ gifts. Board trustee Dr. Holbrook Raynal ’70 and his wife, Susan, have pledged to donate $5,000 if 140 gifts are made by 10:00 a.m. on May 29. This challenge is in  honor of PC’s 140th academic year.

The Class Participation Challenge

The Class Participation Challenge is generously challenged by Chairman of the Board, E. G. Lassiter, ’69, Marianne Lassiter, ’71, Dr. Richard Lassiter, ’98 and Ann Marie Lassiter Johnston, ’99. The Lassiter family, with four different alumni classes represented, are challenging their fellow blue hose! For each class that increases the % of alumni participating, as compared to the class % in 2019, the Lassiter Family will give $1,000, up to a maximum of $40,000. Join the Lassiter family by making a gift today! All gifts must be given to one of the following funds: PC Fund, PC Scholarship Fund, the Scotsman Club Scholarship Fund, the Student-Athlete Experience Fund, or the School of Pharmacy Annual Fund.

Scotsman Cup Challenge

The Scotsman Cup Challenge is a friendly competition among all 19 Blue Hose sports teams. The challenge typically spans several weeks beginning in March. It was postponed due to the pandemic and will take place within the 24 hours of Giving Day on May 29. The opportunity to hold the Scotsman Cup Challenge was made possible by Board Trustee Tom Free ’91.

There are two competitions in the Scotsman Cup Challenge.

Athletic Alumni Percentage

In this challenge, donors can select which Blue Hose team they represent. The team with the highest percentage of athletic alumni donors on Giving Day wins. The winning team will be awarded $2,500. To be eligible for this challenge, donors must give to the Scotsman Club Scholarship Fund or the Scotsman Club Student-Athlete Experience Fund.

Highest Dollar Amount Raised

In this Scotsman Cup Challenge, the Blue Hose sports team with the highest dollar amount raised for the Scotsman Club will be awarded $2,500. To be eligible for this challenge, donors must give to the Scotsman Club Scholarship Fund or the Scotsman Club Student-Athlete Experience Fund.

Blue Hose Challenge

This challenge has been a favorite of donors on Giving Day the last two years. A donor who gives $50 or more to one of the five annual funds will receive a pair of socks, or blue hose.

This challenge commemorates the origin of the College nickname, when sportswriters began referring to PC’s football team as the “Blue Hose” because of the blue hose, or socks, they wore.

The Early Bird Challenge

The donor who makes the first gift on Giving Day will receive PC merchandise. To be eligible, gifts must be made to one of the following funds: PC Fund, PC Scholarship Fund, the Scotsman Club Scholarship Fund, the Student-Athlete Experience Fund, or the School of Pharmacy Annual Fund.

“Be a Social Blue Hose!” Challenge

This challenge encourages donors to post about giving to PC on social media. Those who do so are entered to win PC merchandise. To be eligible for the “Be a Social Blue Hose!” Challenge, donors must post an “I Gave” graphic on social media and tag five others. Donors must also use one of the following hashtags: #BlueHoseGive, #WhileWeLiveWeGive, or #GoBlueHose. Graphics are available on the Giving Day page.

Giving Day 2020

The challenges are significant because they increase the impact of all gifts, regardless of the size. Please visit Giving Day to learn more about the 24-hour online fundraising campaign that takes place on May 29.