ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ leads NCAA Division II in Make-A-Wish fundraising
Article By: Clark Leonard
The University of North Georgia (ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥) led NCAA Division II in Make-A-Wish fundraising for the 2021-22 academic year with $13,851. ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ was one of only three Division II schools in the nation to exceed $10,000 raised.
It was the sixth time in seven years and eighth time overall that ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ tallied the top Make-A-Wish fundraising total in NCAA Division II.
"Our partnership with the Alumni Association and the efforts of our student-athletes made this accomplishment possible," Mary Rob Plunkett, ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ director of athletics, said. "ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ has shown our commitment to making a positive impact in our community. We're extremely fortunate to have university partners that continue to support our longstanding Make-A-Wish initiative."
Division II raised more than $185,000 in the 2021-22 academic year as part of its ongoing partnership with Make-A-Wish. Since 2003, Division II schools have donated more than $6.75 million to Make-A-Wish and granted more than 780 wishes.
"Division II members cherish our partnership with Make-A-Wish," Wiley Cain, chair of the Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and football player at Kentucky Wesleyan, said. "Supporting such a life-changing organization gives us joy and hope to watch as these kids, the epitome of strength and perseverance, are supported in their fight."
As part of its fundraising efforts, ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ is one of 10 schools that will get to experience wish reveals, which are the powerful moments when wish kids find out theirs will be coming true.
Earlier this year, ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ earned the Peach Belt Conference's (PBC) LeeAnn Noble Make-A-Wish Award for most funds raised in 2021-22. It was the 13th year in a row ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ won the PBC award.
ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ has finished in the top five NCAA Division II donors for 11 consecutive years. Since 2010, ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ has raised more than $200,000 for Make-A-Wish with at least $10,000 given every year.
ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ also hosted a Make-A-Wish reveal in October 2021, the 10th wish reveal the institution has granted. The school has raised funds for 20 wishes.
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