One of the goals for this year’s Philanthropy Day campaign on February 26 was to receive gifts from at least 1,250 donors, which would unlock a $250,000 challenge gift from Chris Norton ’76. 

Loomis Chaffee surpassed that number with 1,327 donors, and students in the Financial Literacy program played a key role. They made 134 donations — 43 from juniors, 34 from seniors, 32 from sophomores, and 25 from freshmen. Some of these students also asked others to donate. Junior Kin Asvanund reached out to 42 people. 

“I recognize and appreciate many of the resources and activities here at Loomis and understood that Philanthropy Day is working to keep that going,” Kin said. “I want all students to have the same opportunity, and I felt reaching out to others was one way I could help make that possible.”   

Linda Fisher, director of the Financial Literacy program, announced the effort’s success in an email to students in the program. She told them they had exceeded her expectations. “You are awesome,” she wrote. 

In total there were 172 student gifts this year. Students also participated in writing thank-you notes to donors, another aspect of the school’s Philanthropy Day celebration. 

“I was really motivated to write the thank-you notes because Philanthropy Day genuinely means a lot to me,” junior Lizzie Havens said. “It’s one of the days when our community feels especially united, and I think it’s important to acknowledge the people who make that possible. Writing the notes felt like a small but meaningful way to show gratitude.”