Leaders of the CSU Day 2008 effort include, from left, Meredith King, Sommer Gowdy, Torrey Wiley, Sandy Lampert, Ashley Edgington, David Karr and Heather Horn. Not pictured are Robert Carter, Josephina Takemoto and Jodi Deane.

Volunteers preparing for CSU Day 2008

Team captains are meeting and organizing to make CSU Day 2008, coinciding with the university's 50th anniversary celebration, the most successful ever.

The annual effort focuses attention on CSU’s Annual Fund, a main source of money to support scholarships, faculty development and community outreach programs, and serves as an opportunity to tell the CSU story and offer thanks to area businesses and residents who support Columbus State. Many recipients of the university's gratitude display throughout the year the red, white and blue yard signs that are distributed that day. The message on each sign is simple: “We Are Partners With Columbus State University.”

Since Feb. 5, volunteers have been calling nearly 2,000 businesses, hoping to raise $80,000, part of CSU's Annual Fund goal of $1.65 million. The effort culminates with delivery of yard signs on CSU Day, March 27.

Co-chairs of CSU Day 2008 are Sandy Lampert and Sommer Gowdy, the first mother-daughter team to guide the annual effort.

Help make CSU Day 2008 a success by calling (706) 562-1596 or 565-4094 to make a donation or to volunteer to help deliver yard signs.

Interested in helping on CSU Day? Call Kelley B. Gibson, Annual Fund coordinator, at 706-562-1596, or Meri Robinson, director of annual giving and alumni relations, at 706-568-5172 or e-mail binion_kelley@colstate.edu or robinson_meri@colstate.edu.