An anonymous donor has made gifts to three separate Garrett College initiatives via the Garrett College Foundation.
The donor directed a $20,000 gift to the George C. Edwards Community Aquatic & Recreation Complex (CARC), a $15,000 gift to the Students In Need Group (SING), and a $10,000 gift to the I Can Swim (ICS) program. The gifts were made after the donor was briefed on the mission and needs of each program.
“We wanted the donor to have options as to where to direct their gift,” said Cherie Krug, executive director of the Garrett College Foundation. “That’s why we provided briefings on all three initiatives. Once they had heard them, they decided to give to each of them.”
Dr. Richard Midcap, Garrett College’s president, said the gifts “will positively impact both our students and our community.”
The donor, working with Krug and CARC Director Steve Putnam, identified several CARC needs to fund. Those needs included yoga mats; group fitness dumbbells, kettlebells, and rack; CPR, AED, first aid, and aquatic supplies and equipment; and new flooring for Room 931, which is a high-traffic community space.
The SING funding will be used to support the College food pantry, which directly addresses food insecurity issues among Garrett College students.
“This donor’s incredibly generous gift will fund two years’ worth of food for pantry operations,” said Dr. JR Kerns, the College’s dean of student affairs. “Addressing students’ non-academic needs is critical to helping students succeed academically. Ensuring students aren’t hungry helps support student success.”
The I Can Swim gift will be used to supplement operating funding provided by Garrett College and Garrett County Public Schools for the county-wide kindergarten water safety program.
For more information about the Garrett College Foundation, please go to the Foundation website or call the Foundation at 301-387-3100.
