Second Annual Day of Giving Sets Records

The goal for the participation challenge was an ambitious one: To garner 638 gifts—one for each current member of the Rivers community. Last year’s inaugural Day of Giving, with a goal of 495 gifts, ended up with a record 645 gifts. It would be no easy feat to match that mark.

“We knew it was going to be a challenge,” said Kim Fox, director of the Rivers Fund, who steered the effort. “But we wanted to set the bar high, and we were confident going into it that this community would once again demonstrate its generosity and commitment to the school.”

Throughout the day, social media efforts kept the Day of Giving on the radar of alumni, parents of current students and alumni, and students. The surprise hit of the day was this video, posted on Instagram, of coaches Susanna Donahue (soccer) and Janna Anctil (field hockey) trading banter about their NEPSAC trophies and, of course, about what else would “make us winners”: “If we reach 638 gifts in one day for Rivers!” The video has received 1,870 views and counting.

At 8:23 p.m.—hours before the end of the giving challenge—Fox announced that Rivers had exceeded its goal by reaching 710 gifts. That was cause for celebration, but the Day of Giving wasn’t nearly over yet. When the totals were tallied the next day, the donations had surpassed even the most optimistic hopes: The school received 912 gifts, beating the previous record by 267 and raising a total of $349,936.96.

Fox said that, in her view, the most valuable takeaway from the day was the community-wide effort that made it such a success. “I have the entire Rivers community to thank for our unprecedented and record-breaking 912 gifts in just 24 hours!” she said. “The students, faculty members, coaches, alumni, and parent volunteers were so incredibly helpful, doing everything from writing and choreographing a song about the Day of Giving to calling fellow community members, starring in videos, speaking about why they give back, and more. The Day of Giving was 100 percent a team effort and speaks volumes about the depth of the community at Rivers.”