On May 12th, Horizons at the University of Mississippi is taking part in the 2nd Annual Horizons Giving Day, an online fundraising competition hosted by Horizons National. With Advanced Giving beginning May 1st, Horizons Giving Day gathers Horizons sites from around the country in competition for prizes including the most funds raised, the most unique donors, and the largest use of social media. The best part: all funds raised locally, stay local.

This event will help raise crucial funds to support the ongoing expansion of Horizons at the University of Mississippi. “This is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about the impact that our program has on students in our community, and raise some money in the process,” says Emma Tkachuck, McLean Institute Project Manager and Horizons Director. “This year’s goal is to raise $10,000 through Horizons Giving Day – funds that will directly support summer programming including meals, teaching staff, and supplies.” Horizons has a powerful mission and provides exciting summer learning and enrichment opportunities to students at-risk of falling behind during the summer months. Horizons Giving Day serves as a fun avenue to share that story, with a leader board showing real time fundraising and social media tracking. To follow the Horizon Giving Day activities, like or follow Horizons at the University of Mississippi on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Horizons is encouraging everyone to engage on social media using #HorizonsGivingDay and mentioning @HorizonsUM.

You can learn more about supporting Horizons Giving Day on the Horizons at the University of Mississippi donation page HERE.

Horizons first and second graders returned to campus for a wonderful Saturday of Physics demonstrations with Professor Jamerson, and fun outdoor activities! Our students learned exciting examples of Physics in action with hands on experiments around the Laws of Conservation. Horizons Intern Natalie Pappas shared in the students’ enthusiasm, “It was inspiring to watch the students’ excitement as Professor Jamerson popped balloons with lasers and created a bicycle wheel gyroscope!” Later, our students enjoyed the beautiful afternoon in The Grove playing football, practicing yoga, and playing games.

On Saturday, April 11^th, Horizons students and families visited the University of Mississippi Museum for a morning of basket making, reading and craft activities, and museum tours. Horizons students go to the UM Museum weekly throughout the summer, so the event gave students the opportunity to show their parents a little of what they do during their six-weeks on campus. Students and parents were excited to see Horizons staff and volunteers and the day energized everyone for the upcoming summer!

Special thanks to the staff at the UM Museum for hosting the event and leading the tours and art activities!

Thanks to the United Way of Oxford and Lafayette County and Volunteer Oxford for coordinating the Holiday Wish List and #GivingTuesday donations in LOU! Horizons has received generous supply donations that will help support our summer activities. Supplies from pencils to sidewalk chalk to yoga mats and water bottles contribute greatly to the Horizons program and allow us to provide an educational, fun, and unique summer experience to each of the Horizons students.

A special thanks to our #GivingTuesday sponsor, Cannon Motors, for the thoughtful donations of yoga mats, water bottles, board games, notebooks, markers and pencils, scissors, poster board, sidewalk chalk and much more! We are thrilled to have received such generous support.

We are also incredibly thankful to Jennifer Baker and her family for kindly donating math and literacy games, pencils, pens, arts and craft supplies, and storage containers. We can’t wait to use everything this summer!

Horizons is thrilled to have support throughout the LOU community. If you are interested in making an in-kind donation to Horizons, please contact Horizons Director, Emma Tkachuck at etkachuc@olemiss.edu or (662)915-2713.