FAMU’s National Alumni Association Kicks off Campaign to Raise Funds for FAMU’s Football Team

(SANEPR.com) June 2, 2009 -- June 2, 2009—Last month in Las Vegas during its annual convention, the Florida A&M University National Alumni Association (FAMU NAA) kicked off its latest fundraising drive to raise $100,000 by FAMU’s homecoming on October 24, 2009 in support of FAMU’s football summer scholarship program.

During the convention, FAMU’s athletic director, William Hayes, and football coach, Joseph Taylor, gave motivating speeches that energized attendees to lead the fundraising campaign with on the spot donations. Led by FAMU NAA president and his wife, Dr. and Mrs. Alvin Bryant contributed $1,000 alongside Northeast Regional Vice-President Dr. Willie L Bryant and the NAA’s 3rd Vice-President James Fayson also contributing $1,000. On the spot donations also came from Jean Downing with $500, Carolyn Higgs with $100, and pledges of $100 each from Dr. Leila Walker and Betty Mayor. Additional pledges in the amount of $1,000 each also came from several alumni chapters including JRE Lee, Los Angeles, Pensacola, Palm Beach, and the Polk County chapter. With a $4,000 pledge coming from the FAMU NAA, the fundraising campaign officially began with $12,800 in donations already secured.

Other funds donated during the FAMU NAA’s annual convention included $10,000 in unrestricted funds and $5,000 in restricted funds coming from the Los Angeles Alumni Chapter and $4,500 in unrestricted funds coming from the Polk County chapter, all donated towards the FAMU NAA scholarship aid for students. In spite of the ailing economy, a total of $32,300 was raised for FAMU in one weekend.

The nationwide fundraising campaign appeals to all FAMU alumni, supporters, and friends to raise $100,000 by homecoming October 24, 2009. The funds raised will support FAMU’s football summer scholarship program and will help to ensure that the athletes enroll in classes during the summer semesters in an effort to graduate on time. This campaign is the FAMU NAA’s personal effort of ensuring that we have a championship football team in the upcoming Fall football season.

Supporters can make their tax deductible contributions online or by sending a check by mail. Contributions made by check can be mailed to: FAMU National Alumni Association, P.O. Box 7351, Tallahassee, FL 32314. Checks MUST specify in the Memo line that the contribution is designated for the Football Summer Scholarship Program(0003). Alternatively, online payments can be made through the FAMU Foundation at www.FAMU.edu/GiveToFAMU. Once on the site, click on Donate Now, in the drop box direct your online donations to FAMU Athletics, and for Funds, select Rattler Football(0003).

For more information, contact the chairperson of the fundraising campaign, FAMU NAA 3rd Vice-President James Fayson of Miami via email at mzbf@aol.com.


Contacts:

James Fayson, FAMU NAA 3rd Vice-President
Chair, FAMU NAA Football Summer Scholarship Fundraiser
Email: mzbf@aol.com

Fabiola Fleuranvil,
National Director of PR, FAMU NAA
Email: FAMUNAAPR@gmail.com