For nearly a month, we've shared the stories of students, graduates, teachers, employees and families who know firsthand what happens when someone chooses to BelieVe.
You've seen classroom ideas become student experiences. You've watched Wildcats pursue their dreams in college, travel across the world and even come full circle to help build the future of Valdosta City Schools.
But those stories represent only a small handful of the MANY stories where the VCS Foundation has made an impact in the lives of our students and staff.
As we enter the final three days of the BelieVe. GiVe. NeVer Quit. Employee Giving Campaign, we're sharing one last story.
Someone BelieVed in Lauren
Lauren Ball, a member of the Valdosta High School Class of 2026, is continuing her education at the University of Georgia with the support of a scholarship facilitated through the VCS Foundation.
For Lauren, that support means more than financial assistance. It's a reminder that her VCS family continues to BelieVe in her long after graduation.
Lauren shared:
“Someone BelieVed in me, and because of their generosity, I am able to continue my education at the University of Georgia and pursue my dreams.
To every VCS employee who gives $5 or $10 each month, thank you for BelieVing in students like me. Your gift may seem small, but together those gifts create meaningful opportunities and remind us that our VCS family continues to support us long after graduation.”
Your gift may seem small.
But that's exactly how this works. One employee's $5 doesn't have to provide an entire scholarship. One employee's $10 doesn't have to fund a complete classroom grant.
We do it together.
And Our Wildcats Are Showing Up
On Friday, we had 247 monthly donors and 41 one-time donors.
Over the weekend, we grew.
As of noon Monday, September 28:
273 employees have committed to monthly payroll deduction.
48 employees have made one-time gifts.
That's 321 VCS employees participating, an increase of 33 employees since Friday.
Last week, we challenged our Wildcat family to help us reach 250 monthly donors.
They didn't just get us there.
They pushed us right past it.
And we're not finished.
Think About Your WHY
Think back over the stories we've shared this month. Chances are, you had a connection to at least one. Maybe you taught one of these students. Maybe you work alongside one of these teachers. Maybe you know the family or watched one of these Wildcats grow up.
Or maybe one of their stories simply reminded you of a student, colleague or experience that mattered in your own VCS journey.
Think about your connection. Think about your WHY.
Because there are so many stories we haven't written yet. Another teacher will have an idea. Another student will discover an opportunity. Another Wildcat will walk across the graduation stage with a dream of what comes next. Another VCS employee will decide to continue their education. We don't know their names yet.
But we can help make their stories possible.
Help Us Write the Next Story
With only three days remaining, there's still time to become part of what happens next.
💛 Monthly Payroll Deduction: Make your monthly pledge
🖤 One-Time Gift: Make a one-time gift
The campaign closes Wednesday, September 30.
As we close this year's Because Someone BelieVed series, don't just think about the stories you've seen. Think about the ones we haven't written yet. Make your pledge today.
Be the reason our next generation of BelieVers has the opportunity to become GiVers, in VCS, in their communities and far beyond.
BelieVe. GiVe. NeVer Quit.