‘I Love ISU’ Campaign raises record $390,907

Southeast Idaho continues to enthusiastically support “I Love ISU.” The 2007 campaign resulted in a record $390,907 raised for scholarships at Idaho State University.

That’s the highest-pledged total in the event’s 25-year history of funding scholarships for students from Bannock, Bingham, Bonneville and Power counties, according to K. C. Felt, ISU Foundation director of annual giving.

“Response in every segment was up over previous years,” says Felt. “American Falls, Blackfoot, Idaho Falls and ISU calling teams met with substantial success.”

Mark Lupo and Roger Sears, 2007 “I Love ISU” chair and co-chair, presented ISU President Arthur C. Vailas, Ph.D., with a check for the full amount at “The Celebration,” the traditional ISU Foundation celebration of a successful “I Love ISU” campaign and the Pocatello Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, hosted once again by Watkins Distributing.

Watkins Distributing, formerly Thompson Distributing, has hosted the “I Love ISU” celebration every year of the event’s existence.

Record-setting fundraising success was the rule at every “I Love ISU” location.

Two teams of ISU callers led by Randy Gaines, chief information officer, and Ruth Ruska, recruiter for the College of Technology, obtained more than $60,000 in pledges from ISU faculty and staff, an all-time record for ISU donations to “I Love ISU.”

American Falls, captained by Jay Colonel, raised its all-time best to $11,390, all of which goes to scholarships for Power County ISU students.

Blackfoot had 12 callers, more than double those of previous years, calling from Blackfoot’s ISU Outreach Center. Under captain Stephanie Govatos, the executive director of the Blackfoot Chamber of Commerce and the Idaho Potato Museum, they raised $19,255, more than double Blackfoot’s previous record, for scholarships for Bingham County students.

Sheri Dewey and Sharon Price captained the Idaho Falls teams that broke that city’s record by more than $9,000. The $30,115 total goes for Bonneville County student scholarships.

Special incentives, including a trip for two to San Diego sponsored by Jody Jackman of TTS Travel and the ISU Foundation, and dinner for the team with the highest average pledge, encouraged callers to raise the level of contribution to those they contacted.

For every pledge of $100 or more, callers were entered in a drawing for the San Diego trip which was won by Kevin Wakeman, a member of the Idaho Power team. Ryan Ward’s Citizen’s Bank team won the grand prize for the team with the highest dollar amount pledged per team member.

“Each year, I continue to be amazed by the support of residents of southeast Idaho for this campaign,” Felt says. “We couldn’t do this without their help and that of our volunteers.  We thank all of them.”

Businesses and individuals can still make “I Love ISU” pledges by contacting the ISU Foundation. Call (208) 282-3470, see the Web site www.isu.edu/foundation, or visit the Foundation office in Room 121 of the ISU Administration Building.