Pitt-Johnstown students, faculty and staff are participating in Pitt Day of Giving for the third year in a row.

According to Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Coordinator Kristin Sewak, the purpose of Pitt Day of Giving is to get as many people as possible to donate money toward Pitt-Johnstown.

“The event was started by Pitt-Oakland in 2017, and (Pitt-Johnstown has) been a participating school ever since,” Sewak said.  

She said individual Pitt-Oakland schools participate alongside the four regional campuses.

Sewak said there are two challenges that go along with the event this year. 

The first one is seeing which school can get the most donors, and the second is the school that can increase the number of donors the most from last year.

The top prize for winning a challenge is $25,000. 

The school in second place gets $15,000 and third place gets $10,000.

“It’s not about how much money you can raise, it’s the amount of donors you have,” Sewak said.

“Our participation goal is to increase our number of donors from 150 in 2018 to 500 in 2019.

“In this case, it’s better to aim high and not reach the goal than to be complacent.”

The minimum donation amount is $5, and has to be done online.

“Our focus is raising extra money for student scholarships,” Sewak said.  

A person can choose which area they would like to donate to, such as Student Life activities, athletics and the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center. 

People can also write in what department they would like their money to go to.

In 2017, the first year Pitt-Oakland started the event, Pitt-Johnstown came in third place and was awarded $12,500.

Sewak said, if Pitt-Johnstown wins one or both of the challenges this year, the money will be divided between the funds with the most donors.

“The student activities fund goes toward a student body project,” she said.

“We will use that money to introduce a new amenity or program on campus.

“It could be a store, a concert, or anything else students might want.

“The student body can choose whatever they would like to have on campus.

“It all depends on how much is raised.”

The deadline for donating is Feb. 28, and Sewak said she will be in the Student Union informing students, faculty and staff about the event and handing out reward tickets for those who donate.

On Feb. 28, in the Cambria Room in the Student Union, a party will be sponsored by Sodexo to celebrate the efforts of everyone who helped with Pitt Day of Giving and reward those who donated.

Sewak said there will be something for everyone at the party.

Sodexo General Manager Jim Butler said he agreed to help with the party after Sewak requested Sodexo employees help.

“We’re helping plan the party and will be providing some food,” Butler said.

Sewak said the party is a way of celebrating Pitt-Oakland’s birthday, since the school opened Feb. 28, 1787.

“Pitt-Oakland will be 232 years old this year,” Sewak said. “It’s crazy to think it’s almost as old as our country.”