Newsroom

Raritan Valley Community College will be celebrating its 6th Annual “Giving Day” on March 24, and this year’s “Match Madness” theme has received an unprecedented boost from RVCC supporters and long-time Far Hills residents, Frank and Pat Russo. The Russos, through the Frank S. and Patricia F. Russo Foundation, have pledged a 100% match of up to $50,000 of funds raised in support of RVCC Giving Day 2022.

“We couldn't be more pleased to offer this ‘match challenge’ and hope it motivates many others to contribute—and contribute more,” said Mr. and Mrs. Russo. “The funds raised are much needed and the College is more than worthy of the collective support of our community.”

“We are simply floored by this epic pledge of generosity from the Russos,” said Michael J. McDonough, President, Raritan Valley Community College. “We could not be more honored or more grateful.”

Members of the community are invited to participate in this 24-hour, online fundraising event organized by the RVCC Foundation. Last year, RVCC had a record-setting Giving Day, more than doubling the previous year’s total, and raised $51,510 to help the students, programs, and priorities of RVCC.

“This is the one day of the year when we ask the collective community to come together in its support of RVCC,” said Mike Marion, Executive Director, RVCC Foundation. “The lingering effects of the last two years are still being felt by so many of our students and their families. March 24 presents an opportunity for the community to say, “we know, we care, and we’re behind you,” said Marion.

“It’s important that we build on the phenomenal success of last year’s Giving Day, and thanks to the Russos, we are already off to an amazing start,” said Stacey Kimmins, Chair of the RVCC Foundation Board of Directors. “We hope everyone takes their example to heart and makes a gift and finds their own ‘match’—whether it’s their place of business, another family member, or a friend.”

Giving Day 2022 donors may select from a wide range of College programs, student clubs, RVCC Athletic teams, and other initiatives they wish to support, including the Resource Center and Food Pantry, the Servicing Learning Program, Honors College, and Workforce Training Center, as well as direct support of students through the Emerging Heroes Nursing Scholarships, the Paul Robeson and Evelyn S. Field scholarships, among others. This year’s Giving Day campaign also offers companies a “FINAL FOUR” corporate sponsorship opportunity, with exclusive branding on the RVCC Giving Day website and in the Foundation’s social media and email messaging.

“By making a gift on Giving Day, donors are not only providing crucial financial assistance to students and key programs, they’re also affirming RVCC as it seeks to grow a culture of service, philanthropy, and difference-making in the lives of others,” said Marion. “The community’s collective generosity on Giving Day, and the leadership of Frank and Patricia Russo, provide a model of the behavior and values we are seeking to instill in our students. That may be the ultimate gift.”

RVCC is ranked by WalletHub.com and Niche.com as the #1 community college in New Jersey, and the College has been nationally recognized for its service to the community, environmental stewardship, and commitment to diversity.

In addition, a new report by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, “The Colleges Where Low-Income Students Get the Highest ROI,” ranks Raritan Valley Community College as the top community college in New Jersey for low-income students receiving the highest ROI (return on investment) on the cost of attendance. RVCC ranks in the top 5% of all community colleges cited, and is in the top 20 percent of all higher ed institutions analyzed.

Those interested in being counted as a donor on Giving Day 2022 should visit www.raritanval.edu/givingday on March 24 and make a minimum gift of $10. Donors also may text RVCC to 71777 to donate from their phone, using any major credit or debit card. Anyone interested in making a “pledge” of support in advance of March 24 can do so by texting RVCC to 71777 or by visiting the RVCC Giving Day site at www.raritanval.edu/givingday. Those who pledge in advance will be contacted on March 24 by RVCC staff to accept their gift and designated area of support.

For additional information about Giving Day, donors are also encouraged to contact Janet Dunne at 908-648-8355 or janet.dunne@raritanval.edu.

RVCC is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. For further information about the RVCC Foundation, supporters are encouraged to visit https://rvccfoundation.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 28, 2022

Media contact: Donna Stolzer, 908-526-1200, ext. 8383

PR #80