With the holiday season approaching, the University of Miami is taking a moment to express appreciation to our University community—from students, faculty, staff, and health care workers to alumni, volunteers, donors, grateful patients, and fans—and inviting everyone to join the effort as well.
Designating November as Gratitude Month, the Division of Development and Alumni Relations is spearheading a 21-day campaign aimed at the simple act of saying “thank you” along with demonstrating the impact of philanthropy. The campaign kicked off on Monday, Nov. 9, with a special message on social media from leaders across the University and continues through the end of the month. The multichannel effort includes personalized videos from deans, handwritten and electronic thank-you cards, call-a-thons, printed newspaper ads, and a daily gratitude challenge on @um_alumni on Instagram.
“We believe in gratitude at the University. It is something we practice 365 days a year,” said Josh Friedman, senior vice president for development and alumni relations. “And, given all that we have faced this year, and the extraordinary resilience and perseverance that we’ve witnessed across the U, we thought it was more important than ever to stop, take some time to reflect, look for the good around us, appreciate life’s blessing, and express our thankfulness.”
Also this month, and as part of the Association for Fundraising Professionals annual National Philanthropy Day luncheon, the University honored two “hometown heroes”—the Jose Milton Foundation, led by Ana VeigaMilton, a member of the University Board of Trustees, and the Alma Jennings Foundation, led by alumnus Jeff Fine—for their continued support of the University of Miami. Also honored was the Jorge M. Perez Family Foundation led by Jorge Perez, a University Board of Trustee emeriti member.
Who are you thankful for?
Is there a member of the ’Canes family you are particularly grateful to? November is a great time to acknowledge a colleague or student by sending an electronic note of appreciation through Thank a ’Cane.
