WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., March 2, 2023 — The West Liberty University Foundation has announced that The Health Plan will sponsor its seventh annual Topper Day of Giving. The 24-hour online giving event is set for Wednesday, April 5 and is expected to generate vital financial support for West Liberty University’s mission of higher education.
“We are pleased to welcome The Health Plan as our Title Sponsor for Topper Day of Giving. With its support as a valued partner, we expect this year’s Day of Giving to be our most successful yet,” said Betsy Delk, executive director of the WLU Foundation.
“Topper Day of Giving is one of the Foundation’s most important and successful fundraisers each year. Donations from alumni, faculty, and the community help grow scholarship opportunities for students and funding for programs across campus.”
President and CEO of The Health Plan Jeff Knight acknowledged the importance of supporting educational opportunities in the Ohio Valley.
“As one of the largest employers in Wheeling, The Health Plan has a vested interest in promoting West Liberty University and helping WLU students achieve their academic and career goals. It’s important for The Health Plan and all local employers to have a solid source of local talent,” he said.
The annual Topper Day of Giving has grown in dollars raised and number of donors each year, according to Delk.
“Last year, more than $280,000 was raised on the Day of Giving from more than 1,200 donors. We are grateful for this support and thank every donor,” she said.
The growth of Day of Giving has been fueled by the addition of “micro-campaigns” which allow donors to earmark their gifts for the program or initiative that matters most to them. Engaged faculty, students and athletes encourage gifts to their program through creative social media campaigns, mailings, emails and phone calls.
“The campus community will become energized in the days leading up to Topper Day of Giving. Students and faculty will tell their stories and appeal to alumni, family, and friends to support their programs and unlock the matching funds that have been pledged to support their area,” said Delk.
For a complete list of matching donors and the programs that benefit, please visit wlufoundation.org/dayofgiving.
Pledges received on or before April 5 and paid by June 30, 2023 count toward a match. Gifts of stock or IRA rollovers are gratefully accepted with all donations counting toward the matching funds.
For more information or to make a gift on April 5, please visit the secure site found at: wlufoundation.org/dayofgiving or call WLU Foundation at 304.336.5635.
Additional support for Day of Giving is provided by alumni Alex and Valerie Paris, Liberty Distributors, Gellner Law Offices and Wheeling Volkswagen Subaru.
About WLU Foundation
West Liberty University Foundation, Inc. was chartered on Dec. 28, 1964 and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. A non-profit 501(c)3 organization, contributions to the WLU Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. The WLU Foundation operates on a day-to- day basis with offices on West Liberty University main campus and in downtown Wheeling.