Purdue to celebrate second Day of Giving on April 29 with ‘Boiler Bash’

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The first "Boiler Bash” - a celebration featuring a zip line, inflatables, live music, food and an array of festivities - will highlight the second Purdue Day of Giving, the university’s annual 24-hour, online fundraising event, on Wednesday (April 29).

Co-hosted by University Development Office and Purdue Athletics, the Boiler Bash will be from 4-8 p.m. at Ross-Ade Stadium. Admission and entertainment are free.

The celebration is designed to thank students and the entire Purdue family for being involved in building a better, stronger university and providing a more affordable education for students, said Amber Turner, director of donor relations and Purdue Day of Giving project manager for the University Development Office.

"Last spring students, alumni, faculty, staff, parents and friends from 15 countries and all 50 states donated 6,517 gifts and an incredible $7.49 million in 24 hours,” she said. "We hope there will be even more enthusiastic participation in our second Purdue Day of Giving on April 29.”

The Purdue Reamer Club will provide rides on the Boilermaker Special to Boiler Bash from 4-6:30 p.m. Riders will be picked up at the corner of Martin Jischke Drive and Third Street, outside of the Krach Leadership Center. Students can also ride city buses to the stadium.

Miss Purdue Ashley Zeiner will serve as the Boiler Bash emcee. Purdue President Mitch Daniels and other campus leaders and luminaries will mingle with students and be available for photos.

“For one night only, you can zip line and battle your friends and Purdue celebrities in inflatables and games at Ross-Ade Stadium,” Turner said. “You can also play tailgate games, practice field goal kicks or listen to live music.”

The Tall Walker Band will perform at 5 p.m., followed by the Dueling DJs at 6 p.m. Attendees can tweet in a favorite request to @duelingdjs to hear it live.

Students who donate to a favorite participating unit or student organization on Purdue Day of Giving will be able to show their receipt for a “fast-pass” to avoid lines for specific activities, including the zip line.

Other fundraising activities for Purdue Day of Giving include:

* 23 hourly challenges that will keep Purdue’s participating programs (academic and non-academic) in the running for cash prizes. “Largest single donation,” “Highest number of donations,” “Most alumni donors of the last decade” and “Random Purdue Day of Giving selfie” are among the challenges.

* A competition specifically for student organizations, which will engage some 100 participating organizations in a friendly rivalry and chance for cash prizes.

A complete list of the day's activities is available at http://www.purdue.edu/udo/dayofgiving/.

Purdue Day of Giving is a 24-hour online social media-based event that encourages students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and friends to contribute to the university. The day's theme is "Opportunity Granted.”

Matching funds are available on Purdue Day of Giving for the Purdue Scholarship Fund. Cash gifts will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the university.

The Purdue Scholarship Fund is a general scholarship fund that benefits undergraduate students all across the Purdue West Lafayette campus. All money raised will be distributed to students’ financial aid packages in academic year 2015-16.

Those wanting to donate on the Day of Giving will have several options:

* Online at DayOfGiving.purdue.edu (http://dayofgiving.purdue.edu/)

* Toll-free by phone at 800-319-2199.

More information, including how to donate, is available on the Purdue Day of Giving website. 

Source: Amber Turner, amberkturner@purdue.edu