On Thursday, November 5th, Thompson Rivers University begins a 36 hour fundraising blitz to support student bursaries and scholarships.

It’s TRU’s annual Day of Giving.

Vice-President University Relations Brian Daly says the goal is to raise $36,000 over the course of the blitz and things will look different this year without its usual kick off breakfast.

“Technology rules when you’re trying to do something virtually so we created a safe landing spot so people can donate online and there are some options throughout the university if they want to support a specific faculty or a division or a type of student. If they feel more comfortable phoning someone we do have phone lines available.”

Daly says it is unfortunate that it can’t have its usual kick off breakfast to get the fundraising effort underway.

“We want people to share through links, through their socials, to drive people back to this landing page where people can read about the giving options. So instead of the word of mouth and hearty handshakes and backslapping that could happen and coffee shop conversations that could happen to make this work, it’s all going to be through clicks of the mouse.”

Daly says because people have the ability to direct their money to specific areas, it is hard to say exactly how many students can be supported through this blitz.

TRU’s Day of Giving begins at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, and ends at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6. Donations can be made online at tru.ca/givingday or by calling 778-471-8469.