27th annual ‘I Love ISU’ campaign features events in Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Blackfoot, Boise

The 27th annual “I Love ISU” campaign for Idaho State University academic scholarships is off and running and will feature callers in Blackfoot, Idaho Falls, Pocatello and for the first time in Boise.

The Blackfoot volunteer calling campaign will be held Aug. 26; the Idaho Falls volunteer calling campaign will run Sept. 14-15; the Pocatello and American Falls volunteer calling campaign will run Sept. 21-24; and the Boise calling campaign will be held in October.

“This has become a special event for Southeast Idaho residents, who have always responded favorably when contacted by ‘I Love ISU’ volunteers,” said K.C. Felt, ISU director of annual giving. “We’re hoping for a similar response from the community that we’ve experienced in previous years to help us provide scholarships for area students.”

In 2008, “I Love ISU” raised $406,988 in pledges. For the 2009-2010 academic year, more than $330,000 “I Love ISU” scholarships will be awarded.

On Aug. 26 Blackfoot callers will be set up in the ISU Outreach Center in Riverside Plaza calling from 9 a.m. to noon.  On Sept. 14 and 15 Idaho Falls volunteers will call from the Bennion Student Union Building at University Place from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. From Sept. 21 through Sept. 24 volunteers in the Pond Student Union Building in Pocatello will call during the same hours. Boise volunteers will be the first to make calls from the new ISU Meridian Health Science Center.

Donations to the scholarship campaign will continue to help meet a huge need.

“With the economic conditions as they are, these scholarships are more essential now than ever for many students,” Felt said. “These scholarships are often the difference-makers that allow students to attend college.”

Prior to the actual calling, a number of events associated with the campaign will be held. The ISU Foundation, along with business partner, Citizens Community Bank in Idaho Falls, will host the Aug. 20 Idaho Falls Chamber Business After Hours at the newest Citizens Community Bank location at 900 S. Utah.  The Idaho Falls Chamber Forum Luncheon on Sept. 8 will highlight the “I Love ISU” campaign and ISU President Arthur C. Vailas will be the featured speaker. Representatives from “I Love ISU” will have a trade table at the monthly Chamber Membership Luncheon on Sept. 4 at the Red Lion Hotel in Pocatello.

On Sept. 17 a brand new event will take place. “I Love ISU” leaders and volunteers will be busy manning the counters at the McDonald’s Restaurant at 831 Yellowstone in Pocatello for “McI Love ISU” night. Twenty-five percent of all sales at this location from 4 to 7 p.m. will be donated to the “I Love ISU” campaign. Everyone is invited to join in this event.

The “I Love ISU” Celebration, hosted by Watkins Distributing, will be held Sept. 24, at the conclusion of the Southeast Idaho portion of the campaign. This Pocatello Chamber Business After Hours, from 5 to 7 p.m. will be held at the Booth Barn, 1100 Booth Drive in Pocatello.  A check will be presented to ISU Student Body President Ross Knight at 6 p.m.  

For additional information on “I Love ISU” contact Felt at (208) 282-2994 or the ISU Foundation at (208) 282-3470. Information is also available at the “I Love ISU” website www.isu.edu/departments/alumni/foundation/iloveisu/.