July 28, 2015
Sarah Stevenson made an appeal at the Forum this morning for financial assistance to sponsor two young people heading to Johnson C. Smith University this fall.
A 90th birthday party for Stevenson scheduled for October will help raise funds for the project, but Stevenson said the tuition, room and board fees need to be paid this week. In the video below she presented her friends with a matching donation challenge:
– Natheley McElrath in note July 28 to fund-raising committee members.
Stevenson said she hopes to raise $5,000 on her own this week, supplementing donations and pledges with money from her own savings if necessary. She challenged others to raise the same amount themselves. Costs not yet covered for a four-year education for the two students total about $86,000. Stevenson’s focus for now is the roughly $11,000 not yet raised for the first semester, but second semester begins in January.
Tuesday’s appeal to Forum participants brought donations of $435 in cash and checks, plus pledges of $500, for a total of $935.
Those wishing to pledge should call Stevenson at 704-392-9503, or send an e-mail to Steve Johnston, who will forward the pledge information to Stevenson.
Those wishing to obtain tax benefits for their donation may donate directly to Johnson C. Smith University online, specifying the “Sarah B Stevenson South African Student Fund” or make checks payable to Johnson C. Smith University with “Sarah B. Stevenson South African Student Fund” in the memo line, and mail them to Office of Institutional Advancement, Johnson C. Smith University, 100 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, NC 28216.