As Thanksgiving approaches, Americans gear up to celebrate a holiday set aside to remember their blessings. With that same mindset, the University of North Georgia (UNG) thanked its largest donors Thursday, Nov. 2, during the President's Circle Reception in the Continuing Education building on the UNG Gainesville Campus.

"The President's Circle Reception is for anyone who has given more than $1,000 in the past fiscal year or $10,000 or more in their lifetime," said Tricia Bunker, director of donor relations and stewardship at UNG. "It also includes donors who have given any amount for 25 or more consecutive years."

Last year, almost $4.19 million was donated to UNG. Donors who have given more than $10,000 have their names displayed on two identical walls on the Dahlonega and Gainesville campuses. Each year the wall is updated.

"This reception is a way to say 'thank you' to all of the donors, because we appreciate what they do."

The donated money benefits student scholarships, programs, faculty endowments, campus beautification, and even buildings such as the new Convocation Center. Michelle McAdams, president of the Student Government Association on the Gainesville Campus, said she is one of the many students who appreciates monetary support from donors.

Michelle McAdams, president of the Student Government Association on the UNG Gainesville Campus, welcomed the donors to the President's Circle Reception, which kicks off the monthlong celebration of philanthropy, or Month of Thanks, at UNG.

"They are helping others fulfill their dreams and are encouraging them to continue their education," said McAdams, a senior general studies major with a concentration in business, humanities and social sciences from Forsyth County.

McAdams welcomed the donors to the President's Circle Reception, which kicks off the monthlong celebration of philanthropy, or Month of Thanks, at UNG.

"We take the month of November to thank donors in various ways," Bunker said.

Throughout November, Thank-A-Donor Days are planned on all five UNG campuses, and scholarship recipients are encouraged to sign posters and write notes of thanks to the donors who made their scholarships possible. Messages from scholarship recipients will be featured throughout November on UNG's social media platforms, and Phone-A-Thon students will call donors from previous years to say "thank you" the week before Thanksgiving.

Jeff Tarnowski, vice president for University Advancement, explained donors are vital because without private support from alumni, individuals, companies, and foundations, UNG would simply not be able to provide the quality of education that the region needs.

"Students benefit directly from the scholarships that are supported as well as from specific student programs that are funded by donations," he said. "Faculty and staff benefit from the private support that allows them to provide educational opportunities that the state of Georgia simply can't afford."

The Month of Thanks will wrap up Tuesday, Nov. 28, as UNG participates in the national #GivingDay campaign to launch the #OneUNG crowdfunding campaign. The campaign to support current and future UNG students will continue through Jan. 8, 2018, the five-year anniversary of the consolidation that formed UNG.