A truly insane day...

It's Tuesday evening, and today has been insane!  Here's an update on the events of the last day and a half. 

At close to noon on Monday the 17th we received an update from the Texas A&M Foundation that put the number of donations at $12,760.  We were almost halfway to the goal of $25,000 needed to create a permanent scholarship in memory of Joseph.  But we had noticed that donations were slowing, and were working on a second push to try and generate more interest. 

Last night on the TexAgs premium board, a poster who calls himself "SmackDaddy" laid down some smack indeed.  He pointed out that donations had slowed down, and that in his opinion that was unacceptable.  He then issued a challenge to other posters, offering 2500 of his own money to match any donations from other posters of over $50 or more.  His challenge was immediately met with a matching offer of $2500. 

What followed was what can only be described as the best kind of one-upmanship.  Offers to match gifts were made.  We received a text last night from Joseph's mom who was quietly watching this progress. We had no idea this was happening.

When I woke up this morning and jumped on TexAgs this thing had exploded!  I had planned a busy day of connecting with the media to give the effort a shot in the arm.  That shot had already been given by these incredibly generous Aggies. 

As I watched this unfolding I received a call from Steve Fullhart at KBTX in Bryan requesting an interview on this evening's 4pm newscast.  (You can watch the story on the KBTX website here)

In the meantime the updates from the Texas A&M Foundation started rolling in:

9:59am
Online gifts to the Joey V. Fund now total $22,409!

In gifts just from yesterday and today, y'all raised almost $10,000!

Who is going to push the account over the endowment level of $25,000?!

Thanks again for all you've done to support Texas A&M students. This was truly a grassroots effort and speaks to the power and generosity of TexAgs users and former students.


10:36am
 Just $816 away from endowment level from online gifts alone.

That's right, the total is at $24,184!

10:48am
 You did it! In less than two weeks, you have created an endowed scholarship in memory of Joey V!

As of 10:45 a.m., online gifts total $25,759 for the now endowed scholarship.

Gifts have continued to roll in as the day progressed from there.  My press release, which was intended to garner media attention to help generate some interest and get us back on track, was rendered moot, so I had to rewrite it.  I've never been happier to have to start over on a project.

In the coming weeks the Villavisencio family will work with the Foundation to set the limits on what type of student will receive the scholarship.  In the meantime, you can continue to give via the Foundation website.  Any extra funds given will go to the principle, which increases the amount a deserving student will benefit from this fund. 

Finally, I want to reiterate that the entire point of this project is to remember Joseph Villavisencio, a remarkable young man who touched many lives and served others.  If you've not read the bio posted on this blog, please take a few moments to do so.

To those who have given and continue to do so, we cannot fully express our gratitude.  In 12 days you helped shape a vague idea into a remarkable reality.