A gift from the heart

Seasons greetings to all! I hope our monthly Alumni Connection e-newsletter finds everyone doing well and getting ready for the coming holidays.
My Director's Update message this month will be a simple request to each and every Lehigh alumnus ... WE NEED YOU!!!
The end of the calendar year is approaching fast and Lehigh University needs your support. Specifically, we need your financial support. Please consider making a gift to the Lehigh Fund to support our annual operations and at the same time participate in Shine Forever: The Campaign for Lehigh.
During the course of the capital campaign, our goal is to raise $500 million. And like many of you, my personal giving will not even make a dent in that figure! But another goal of the campaign is to raise our giving percentage to 50 percent (up from 41 percent). That number represents the percentage of alumni who make a gift in the current year to the Lehigh Fund.
Now, one thing I know is that all Lehigh graduates can do basic math. When it comes to raising the percentage of alumni who make a gift, even a small gift of only $10 counts the same as a large gift of $10 million!
Every one of you has some reason, some group, some person, or some event that happened during your years here that helped shape the life you lead now. I often hear stories about a specific professor, a staff member, a coach, or a friend. I hear about the living group (fraternity or sorority, or residence hall), sports team, musical group, club, or organization. And I often hear stories of that indescribable Lehigh Magic that all of us who went here still feel when we meet anyone else from Lehigh.
It is that feeling of pride, accomplishment, and loyalty that burns deep in each and every one of us. That is the reason to make a gift to support your university and make sure that it can continue on for generations of Lehigh students, both now and in the years to come.
Try to find that special place in your heart for Lehigh and make your contribution to the Lehigh Fund before we usher in a new year of bright promise. Your gift will not only help Lehigh, but also offers a year-end tax break, something that always comes in handy.
You can make a gift on-line. Or you can call 1-800-523-0565 to make your gift over the phone and pay by credit card.
Thank you for all that you do for Lehigh!
Chris Marshall '88
Alumni Director