Combine the pressure of midterms with the added stress of COVID-19, and life for students on College Hill can be more difficult than normal. That’s what motivated more than 1,700 alumni, parents, and friends to Send Some Love.
This week every student on campus picked up a care package containing items donated by alumni and local businesses (those studying off-campus will receive theirs by mail). Among the goodies were snacks, fresh fruit, books, teas, stickers, and coupons and gift certificates to local businesses.
Organized by the Alumni Relations Office, Send Some Love included a giving challenge — gift bags would be prepared equal to the number of donors who contributed to the Hamilton Fund between Feb. 14 and 28. All told 1,741 gifts were received. So that each and every Hamilton student would feel the love, members of the Alumni Council made up the difference.
Another added touch were messages written by the donors who offered words of encouragement to students to celebrate their hard work and let them know they are part of a larger “Hamily.” One example came from Tabitha Bowling ’96, whose company Scout donated key chains:
“Like me, I suspect one of the reasons you chose Hamilton is because of the emphasis and importance that the College places on the opportunity to connect and meaningfully engage with fellow students, faculty, coaches and administrators, often resulting in relationships that last well beyond your 4 years on the Hill.
“While the opportunity for connection and engagement has not manifested in the ways that it did for the thousands of alums that studied on the same grounds, ate in the same dining halls, and lived in the same dorms as you do now, I know you’ve made the most of this challenging time, calling upon your creativity, resourcefulness and resolve to maintain a sense of place and to be in fellowship.
“Truth be told, the strong lived and shared experience of Hamilton is transcendent and boundless. No group of students has demonstrated this more resolutely than you. We’re proud of you, we support you and always remember, you’re not alone — 23,600-strong.”
Jim Burns ’08, CEO of 7 Days Snacks, donated vanilla mini croissants for the care packages — because what good is a care package without sweets? “I look back on my time at Hamilton so fondly. Most of that fondness stems from the great interactions I had on campus with other students, faculty, and staff,” he said. “With that type of activity limited this year, I really feel for the student body. Sending snacks is just a very small way to say, ‘Keep your heads up, spring is almost here!’”
In addition to those who supported the College with financial donations, the following alumni and local businesses contributed items for the Send Your Love project:
Almost Local (handcrafted gifts)
Denny Baldwin ’61
Tabitha Bowling ’96, Scout
Tim Bradley ’86, CEO, Teatulia
Jim Burns ’08, CEO, 7 Days Snacks
The Compound (café)
Lori Rava Dennison ’87, P’16
Cooley Group (novelty items)
The Cremeria (Italian gelato)
Lynn & Wilson Everhart ’70, P’02
Krizia Martin (apparel and giftware)
Love Bites Bakery
Minar Fine Indian Cuisine
Mitsuba (Japanese cuisine)
Joanne Papanek Orlando K’74
Aimee Renaud ’02, Stacey Stump ’02, and the Class of 2002
Parker Riehle ’88
Twin Orchards
Ross Ufberg ’07 (New Vessel Press)
Sam Welch ’86
Utica Coffee