Purple & Gold Day Celebration, Western Challenge Set for April 24
On Friday, April 24, Western Illinois University alumni and friends from around the world will come together as one Leatherneck family for the annual Purple & Gold Day Celebration to celebrate the date on April 24, 1899 when the Illinois Legislature approved the creation of what would become WIU.
April 24 also marks the 11th annual Western Challenge: What a Difference a Day Makes. The WIU Alumni Association invites area alumni to its annual Purple & Gold Day Social from 4:30-7 p.m. at the Sports Corner in downtown Macomb. The Western Challenge Day of Giving celebrates the impact a single day of generosity can have while highlighting the pride and tradition of the Leatherneck community.
'This year's theme, ‘What a Difference a Day Makes,' really captures the spirit of the Western Challenge,' WIU Director of Annual Giving Tim Hallinan said. 'In just 24 hours, our Leatherneck community comes together to create meaningful opportunities for our students. It's a meaningful reminder that every gift, no matter the size, plays a role in shaping the Western experience and moving our university forward.'
Since 2016, WIU has held an annual day of giving, garnering tremendous support from donors worldwide. Last year, 1,036 donors contributed $409,337 for WIU's students, scholarships and University initiatives. During the 24-hour giving event, alumni and friends are encouraged to direct their contributions to any area of WIU that resonates with them, while taking advantage of match and challenge funds contributed by WIU alumni, friends, faculty and staff.
As part of this year's Western Challenge, donors who contribute $75 or more will once again receive a pair of exclusive Western Challenge socks as a token of appreciation. In addition, first-time donors to Western during the campaign with a special incentive.
Gifts can be made online at wiu.edu/westernchallenge/. Most major credit cards, bank transfers and mobile wallets, such as PayPal and Venmo, are accepted. This year, donors can also give through their donor-advised funds. Those who prefer to contribute via phone can call (309) 2981861 now through 9 p.m. CST on Friday, April 24.
To stay updated on the Western Challenge's progress, donors can follow the event on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter/X for real-time updates, donor tallies and exclusive content throughout the day.
To learn more about the Western Challenge Day of Giving, visit wiu.edu/westernchallenge/, call (309) 298-1874 or email [email protected].
