Oglethorpe’s annual Philanthropy Week Celebration seeks to build awareness and educate the campus community on the importance of giving and giving back. We hope to promote a culture of gratitude within the Oglethorpe community and provide inspiration and ideas on how to “Make a Difference”—at Oglethorpe and beyond. This year, Philanthropy Week is celebrated November 4-8.

This week, stop by the Turner Lynch Campus Center to create a Gratitude Garden sign with the Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) organization. The Gratitude Garden features personal messages of gratitude installed near the O.K. Sheffield Patio behind the Turner Lynch Campus Center. Anyone in the Oglethorpe community can add their messages of gratitude throughout the week. By the end of the week-long celebration, the lawn area will be filled with powerful messages. Stop by and be inspired!

Also, look for banners hung around campus highlighting university donors, their accomplishments or connection to Oglethorpe, and information about what their generous giving made possible on campus. Want to know more about philanthropy? Keep an eye out for “Giving Factoid” signs posted around campus for more information about giving back.

Here are ways to participate this week:

• Create a sign for the Gratitude Garden
• Join the Young Alumni Club (YAC) and STAT on Wednesday, 6-8 p.m. to package items to be delivered to the Ronald McDonald House
• Endowed scholars are encouraged to come by the Development office (Lupton Hall, 2nd floor) throughout the week to write a personal note to their donors
• Faculty and staff are invited to gather for Thank you Thursday, an event to recognize all they do, and to celebrate the conclusion of the Petrels with a Purpose faculty and staff fundraising campaign
• University alumni can join Development & Alumni Relations for the Alumni Volunteer Thank You Luncheon at the Philip Weltner Atrium on Friday afternoon