Individual and corporate donations will provide emergency financial assistance to students impacted by COVID-19

On April 8, College of the Rockies put out a call for donations to its newly-established COVID-19 Student Emergency Help Fund. In under two weeks, almost $38,000 has been raised to help students who are facing unexpected financial hardship due to the ongoing pandemic.

Columbia Basin Trust provided the lion’s share of the funds raised with a $30,000 contribution and, thanks to matching funds from the College’s Students’ Association, online donations from employees, alumni and community supporters have totalled close to $8,000. The Students’ Association will continue to match donations, up to $5,000, until April 30.

The College’s COVID-19 Emergency Help Fund builds on financial supports announced by the federal and provincial governments and is intended to assist students who are being faced with unexpected financial challenges including loss of part-time or summer jobs, adjusting to online learning, and unanticipated trips home. Students can make a one-time request of up to $200 to assist with groceries and other essentials to help them navigate through this challenging time.

“It is heartwarming, but unsurprising, to see this response from our communities,” said David Walls, College of the Rockies President and CEO. “At difficult times, people are looking for ways to help others and many realize that an investment in College students is an investment in the region’s leaders of the future. We are grateful to everyone who has donated and extend a special thank you to the Trust for their generous contribution.”

Donations to the COVID-19 Student Emergency Help Fund can be made by visiting cotr.ca/giving, selecting Give Now, and choosing COVID-19 Student Help Fund. Contributions made to the Fund are eligible for a charitable tax receipt.

Updates on the status of College of the Rockies operations can be found at cotr.ca.

College of the Rockies

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