Micah Honors Best Friend’s Memory on 10th Anniversary of Virginia Tech Shooting
Micah Banner lost his best friend in the mass shooting on April 16, 2007, that took 32 lives. He’s honored her memory by raising funds for her scholarship fund each year since. On the tenth anniversary, he’s using Razoo to help reach his ambitious goal of raising $10,000. Here’s his story.
Ten years ago, I lost my best friend in the Virginia Tech Massacre. I walked away knowing that life is short, love is precious, and that you may never get a chance to say goodbye to your loved ones.
My friend, Maxine Turner, was nothing if she was not compassionate and charitable. She helped those around her and felt deeply for those in need. Her influence pushed me into a career in nonprofit fundraising, hoping to in some small way keep her memory alive.
A scholarship was set up in Maxine’s memory through the Alpha Omega Epsilon Foundation. The scholarship awards $2,000 each year to young women pursing an education in engineering — Maxine’s undergraduate major.
Through the years, I have donated, asked for others to donate, offered incentives, and have personally matched over $3,000 in gifts.
This year, I want to make a bigger difference — to raise $10,000 in honor of the 10th anniversary of my dear friend’s passing. I want to push the scholarship closer to being endowed, and I need help doing it. That’s where Mightycause comes in.
I searched for a crowdfunding platform and instead found a crowdfunding partner in Mightycause. Not only does Mightycause offer the flexibility to donate money to individuals OR directly to nonprofits, it has provided tremendous amounts of support along the way. Within days of posting my fundraiser, a member of the Mightycause team reached out to help me optimize my page and give me strategies for success. Then the gifts started coming in.
It helps that Mightycause has very low fees, allowing more of the funds to go to the cause. Their integration with Facebook and Twitter is great, and I believe I made the best choice to help me reach my goal of raising $10,000 for the Maxine Shelly Turner Memorial Scholarship.
I hope you will check out my fundraiser (and donate if able) and be inspired to change the world in your own way. Good luck!