The 2024 iGot Bulloch County Kickoff and Breakfast this week at Ogeechee Technical College was hyped-up and exceptionally well presented, detailed, and informative. iGot campaigns reached out to our communities in Evans and Screven back in February and now Bulloch County on March 19, 2024. About 90 guests were in attendance at the breakfast, along with 40 volunteer teams (2+/team), who were given a detailed list of companies, individuals, and pledge cards from previous years that have supported OTC.
This Annual Community Giving Campaign called iGot (I Give to Ogeechee Tech) is a yearly campaign that allows community and business members to make annual investments or multi-year financial pledges in support of the college.
"The money raised in each year’s campaign gets dispersed to cover several critical needs including, but not limited to, funding scholarships, providing students with emergency funds, supporting adult literacy programs, assisting testing scholarships, purchasing and leasing state-of-the-art equipment for classrooms and labs and purchasing property to donate to the college for campus expansions,” said Christina Harrell, Director for Resource Development. Harrell continued, saying, "This is one of my favorite times of the year because I get to see firsthand how the money raised during this campaign impacts our students. What may seem insignificant to many can be the difference in finishing a degree for our graduates."
Ogeechee Technical College plays a vital role in strengthening the economic climate of the area. Since its beginning in Statesboro (1986), they have grown from Bulloch County to additional locations in Evans and Screven counties. Their website shares, “We’ve designed our academic program around the real needs of today's workforce. Although the choices are vast each shares the benefit of ‘Hands-On’ instruction, small class sizes, one-on-one instruction and state-of-the-art equipment used in the workforce today.”
At the breakfast, OTC President Lori Durden said, “The Ogeechee Tech iGot campaign is an annual event where community members volunteer their time to solicit donations on behalf of the OTC Foundation. The primary goal of the campaign is to raise money, and what is equally as rewarding to me is the support this community continues to show the college year after year.”
OTC’s informative video shared that 66% of the students enrolled have full-time jobs in addition to their education. Last year, 100 students were awarded scholarships, which allowed working families, parents or students to complete their education on time.
As one student shared, “Ever since I started my college journey, I've had to work full time, and this scholarship has provided me with the assistance when that no longer has to happen, and now I can focus and push-on through.” -Emily Boswell, Radiologic Technology student
Community members and employers across the area know the value of Ogeechee Tech and the professionals it produces for our workforce. Each year, iGot is a testament to that.
“My Mom taught Tech Ed for 40+ years, and I know the importance of having trained, skilled professionals. Throughout my career in community development, every day, we are in contact with people who serve our local Industries. Because of my Mom and many like her, with a passion and purpose to teach, I choose to GIVE and ASK others to do the same. Students everywhere are eager to work and make a living, but it's been my observation that those who invest time and money into their education at OTC are the hardest workers, very focused and goal-oriented. It's such a small ASK! I've been helping for many years and will stay vested. I look around and see the benefits of YOUR giving and investment in Statesboro and Bulloch County. I never mind getting behind a program I believe in.” -Mandy B. Fortune, Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer at Citizens Bank of the South; iGot Team Member and Friend of OTC
‘WE ARE OTC” Celebration Event
The follow-up “WE ARE OTC" event on Thursday, March 28th, from 6:30-8:30pm will celebrate the support raised during this year's iGot. The event will take place at The Market at Visit Statesboro at 222 S. Main Street.
"Anyone who has given of their time, talents, or financial gifts is invited, and that list is pretty long. This includes employees, donors, community volunteers, advisory board members and others,” said Sean Payne, Executive Director for Public Relations and Marketing at OTC.
