Livingstone to host phone-a-thon with twist on Juneteenth
By KIMBERLY HARRINGTON
SALISBURY – The phones will be ringing off the hooks this Friday at Livingstone College as the historic HBCU in Salisbury hosts its first Phone-A-Thon – with a twist.
That is the intent of organizers Vincia Benjamin Miller, director of alumni affairs; Deborah Johnson, United Negro College Fund (UNCF) director for the college; and Dr. Anthony Davis, chief operating officer and vice president of institutional advancement.
The event is from 12-6 p.m. on Friday, June 19, also known as Juneteenth, the oldest nationally-celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States in which slaves in Galveston, Texas, didn’t learn of the Emancipation Proclamation until two and half years after it was official.
There will be four phone lines open for the phone-a-thon or donors can drop by the Walls Center on campus at 800 West Thomas Street to deliver their donations in person. The online option is still available at www.livingstone.edu as well as check or money order by mail to Office of Alumni Affairs, 701 West Monroe St., Salisbury, NC 28144.
Numbers to call are: (704) 216-6009; (704) 216-6950; (704) 216-6118; and (704) 216-6962.
Now for the twist. The phone-a-thon will feature a different deejay for every hour of the campaign, live on Livingstone College’s official YouTube Channel from the Walls Center. Plus, it will air live on the campus radio station, WLJZ 107.1 FM. Deejays to be featured include CP the Peoples Champ, DJ Special K, Gate III, DJ Smaxkz, DJ King and DJ Trellz.
“We’ve participated in phone-a-thons before that were hosted by UNCF, but we’ve never hosted one on our campus to my knowledge in the 30 years I’ve been here,” Johnson said.
On-air announcements and check presentations will be made. Pledges will also be accepted, but all donations must be received by the end of the fiscal year, which is June 30.
More than 20 volunteers, alumni, staff and community volunteers will man phone lines and assist in executing the event, Miller said.
“This is a creative way for our alumni and friends to give and to help raise funds for our students and for scholarships,” Miller said. “Donors can designate where they want to apply their contributions, whether it be for UNCF, scholarships, athletics, band or the concert choir. It’s up to them.”
Johnson said any monies donated specifically for UNCF will be applied toward Livingstone’s goal.
“No amount is too large or too small,” Miller said. “We thank you for your continued love and support throughout the 2019-2020 school year and look forward to seeing and hearing from you during the phone-a-thon.”
“There is a renewed interest in Juneteenth this year due to the current racial climate in our country,” said Livingstone President Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr. “This is an ideal occasion to put your money where your heart is and support Livingstone College as our mission is to transform lives so that they can impact the world.”
About Livingstone College
Livingstone College is a private historically black college that is secured by a strong commitment to quality instruction, academic excellence and student success. Through a Christian-based environment suitable for holistic learning, Livingstone provides excellent business, liberal arts, STEAM, teacher education and workforce development programs for students from all ethnic backgrounds designed to promote lifelong learning, and to develop student potential for leadership and service to a global community. For more information, visit www.livingstone.edu.
