Yes, you read that right…Kiltathon! It is, in fact, the fourth annual event. Let me explain:
In the gray beginnings of 2021, a former participant in the Academic Enrichment Upward Bound program came to me with a problem. She had graduated from high school and was now a graphics design student. That meant she had to have a new computer for her major. Unfortunately, she had zero funds for the computer as she and her family were living hand to mouth. She was working; her mother was working; everyone was doing all that they could. Normally, when one of our kids needs something that is outside of the parameters of the grant, I either reach into my own pocket or I hit up a friend or two that owe me favors. However, over a thousand dollars for the computer she needed was a little bit steep. In talking with my staff, we came up with the most ludicrous of ideas…I’ll wear one of my nine kilts each day in March and get people to sponsor me for $1 per day. “Well, that’ll never work!”
Except, it did work. Each day I posted a picture on Facebook of me in my kilt and people checked in and commented – people were engaged and supportive. We were able to purchase the computer and some peripherals for the student. It was life-changing for her.
And it kept working. In 2022 the Kiltathon grew and so did its support. The goal for that year was $3,000. People gave. For some that meant contributing in ways to promote the Kiltathon. One contributor who has the technical skills that I do not pitched in and now the Kiltathon has a website of its own. (www.greatkiltathon.com) People checked the website to see the daily pictures. We exceeded the goal by about $500 dollars. I say we because the Kiltathon was beginning to have a following of its own. All the funds went to pay for needs that the grant cannot cover for our low-income, first-generation potential and current college students. We assisted with tuition, bought books, paid rent, replaced tires…well, you get the picture. We raised over $3,500, but we gave away over $4,000. The needs always exceed the resources. So, we kept at it.
In 2023 the Kiltathon raised just over $5,000. As of this writing, we have given away about $3,750. This year expenses covered have included all of the usual things – tuition assistance, housing deposits, general student supplies for alumni, and food assistance – as well as some equally important but less commonplace things like assistance with funeral expenses after the sudden death of a participant’s mother and rental assistance to prevent a family from being evicted.
Of course, none of this is related to The University of Tennessee in any way. We do not use the UT name at all. It is all very informal and personal. It is people pooling resources (usually $31 at a time), coordinated by someone they know and trust (that is me, believe it or not), to make a difference in the lives of a group of kids who have needs and nowhere else to turn. This is grassroots philanthropy. It is not tax-deductible. Donors are listed on the website and that is all the “tangible” rewards they get.
The Fourth Annual Great Kiltathon kicks off on March 1, 2024. Do you have $31 you can spare?
Charles R. White
PI / Project Director
Academic Enrichment Upward Bound