HANCOCK — The Finlandia Alumni Board is hosting their third Giving Day on June 16. The day is dedicated to raising money to help students pay for textbooks and will feature Facebook and social media announcements, information on textbook costs, and conversations with past textbook award winners and FAB members!

Last year, Giving Day was postponed and rescheduled. In support of Finlandia’s Safe Open 2020 plan, Giving Day was held in September and the money raised was dedicated to PPE and safety upgrades for Finlandia students. Finlandia’s Safe Open 2020 did happen and students arrived on campus in the fall with smiles tucked behind their masks. On Apr. 29, 63 graduating seniors even walked across the auditorium stage, in-person and with diplomas in hand.

Campus communities across the world are coming together to support one another. The pandemic has substantially raised the financial barrier that students face. Monica Hill (’76), FAB president, was asked about the importance of Giving Day to these students.

“What is course work without a textbook? Seems logical to us, yet many students cannot afford that necessary expense. Sharing is wonderful, but the logistics of borrowing someone else’s book is cumbersome. Please help the FAB in providing deserving students with their required books. We want you to know that providing textbooks can mean the difference between learning and not. As a proud alumna, I want to help anyone I can who has the good sense to choose Finlandia to prepare them for life.”

Donations can be accepted through the Finlandia website and Facebook page. Donors can also make a check payable to Finlandia University, labeled for Giving Day and mailed to the following address: ATTN: Advancement Office, 601 Quincy St., Hancock, MI 49930

For students, textbook award applications can be submitted here.

For more information on Giving Day 2021, please visit finlandia.edu/givingday or contact Jordan Shawhan at jordan.shawhan@finlandia.edu.