Fourth-year Kinesiology student Kirsten Tumaru peruses the racks in VIU’s Career Closet, a new initiative that provides students with professional clothing for interviews. VIU's Giving Tuesday campaign is raising money for initiatives like the Career Closet this year.
VIU’s 12th annual campaign features an online auction and opportunities to have donations matched.
Sometimes it’s the simplest things that can help students stay the course on their educational journeys.
Access to healthy food, the right gear to complete assignments and field work, or a bursary to help with an unanticipated expense could mean the difference between students staying in school or needing to pause their studies. VIU’s Access Fund supports initiatives that meet these needs.
Fourth-year Kinesiology student Kirsten Tumaru wants to become an occupational therapist and is preparing for grad school interviews. To help her prepare, she turned to the Career Closet. The Career Closet is a free, Access Fund-supported resource where students can access gently used professional clothing and personal items.
“It takes care of one key need for an interview,” said Tumaru. “It might sound small, but you do have to show up in a composed manner, both cognitively and physically. Because of the Career Closet, now you don’t have to shell out all that extra money you might not have as a student.”
Another Access Fund-supported initiative that launched this year is the Student Food Pantry at the Cowichan campus, which stocks essentials such as granola bars, fresh fruit and cereal as well as yogurt and milk.
“Students are using it constantly. I am restocking every day, and stuff is flying off the shelves,” said Tracy Giles, Coordinator of Student Affairs and Financial Aid at VIU Cowichan. “I see students swinging by the food pantry every morning and taking a granola bar or piece of fruit to class, most likely their breakfast.”
This Giving Tuesday (December 2), the VIU Foundation is focusing on raising money for the Access Fund. Giving Tuesday is a global movement to encourage people to support meaningful causes during a season that emphasizes holiday sales and consumerism.
Thanks to generous support from many community partners, the popular online auction is back! To browse items up for bid, which include everything from Vancouver Island stay-cations to VIU student service packages, to Canucks tickets, visit the VIU Giving Tuesday online auction homepage.
To amplify the impact donors have, the VIU Foundation is also offering matching donations again this year. One hundred per cent of all donations go to the chosen fund and directly to supporting students.
“Giving Tuesday is more than a fundraising campaign – it’s a commitment to supporting students so they can thrive in their academic journey,” said Dr. Dennis Johnson, Interim VIU President and Vice-Chancellor. “Your donation serves as a powerful motivator for students, knowing their community is investing in their studies and their future.”
Gifts can be made online by credit card on the VIU Giving Tuesday homepage. Or you can e-mail us at foundation@viu.ca for more information or reach out directly to frankie.marquez@viu.ca.
-30-
Media Contact:
Jenn McGarrigle, Communications Manager, Vancouver Island University
C: 250.619.6860 | E: Jenn.McGarrigle@viu.ca | W: news.viu.ca
The VIU community acknowledges and thanks the Snuneymuxw, Quw’utsun, Tla’amin, Snaw-naw-as and Qualicum First Nation on whose traditional lands we teach, learn, research, live and share knowledge.
Related Posts
