Sign outside of the U of L (Lethbridge News Now)

By Justin Goulet

Strong donor support helps out over 20 U of L students struggling through pandemic

Oct 14, 2020 | 10:17 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The University of Lethbridge put out a call, and the community responded.

In the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U of L says many students lost part-time jobs and were struggling to make ends meet – all while trying to complete a semester that had been shifted to an online platform due to the health crisis.

The Emergency Student Bursary was created, and a call went out to the U of L community to throw its support behind the new fund as well as the existing International Student Bursary.

121 donors answered that call and combined to raise $28,814 for the two funds. This in turn eventually helped out 21 students.

“The need for this kind of support was acute and had to be addressed in short order so that these students could get the help as quickly as possible,” said Chelsea Sherbut, a research awards and stewardship officer in University Advancement.

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“A lot of work went on behind the scenes to get this bursary up and running and when we were able to go to our community and seek support, they responded immediately. Our donors made a real difference in our students’ lives during a very difficult time.”

The U of L said students who received a bursary have expressed their gratitude, noting that many people who donated have likely been facing challenges of their own amid the pandemic.

“The bursary money helped me pay for rent and food until the Canada Emergency Student Benefit was released,” stated one recipient in a release from the university.

“I am so grateful that the University was there to help support me with my financial, mental and emotional needs. Thank you to all the donors who made those couple months more manageable because of their generous donations.”