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UGA donors set record with 11,091 gifts in 24 hours

University of Georgia supporters set a single-day giving record for the second consecutive year when donors made 11,091 gifts to the university during UGA’s Dawg Day of Giving on March 30.

“I am grateful to our amazing donors for their support on Dawg Day of Giving,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “We owe so much of our success to their strong and steadfast commitment to UGA’s progress. This outpouring of support will elevate our students, our university and our state for years to come.”

UGA’s goal for the day was 10,000 gifts—after reaching 9,339 gifts on last year’s giving day—and donors surpassed that mark around 10:45 p.m. EST. Gifts totaled $5.6 million, and donors hailed from all 50 states.

“I hope that every donor who contributed yesterday—whether they gave $5 or $500—understands the enormity of this day and their role in it,” said Kelly Kerner, UGA vice president for development and alumni relations. “This one day will impact Georgia for generations through scholarship support, enhanced campus resources and greater access to educational opportunities, and it’s all because of the Bulldog Nation.”

President Jere W. Morehead talks with a student at the 2023 Dawg Day of Giving event at Tate Plaza. (Photo by Chamberlain Smith/UGA)

President Jere W. Morehead talks with a student at the 2023 Dawg Day of Giving event at Tate Plaza. (Photo by Chamberlain Smith/UGA)

Giving challenges were a feature throughout the day, incentivizing donors to contribute by unlocking additional funds for UGA once a donation goal was met. Some challenges were open to all donors, while others looked for donations to a specific fund or from a specific audience, such as students, who surpassed their challenge goal with 1,264 donors. Schools and colleges also competed with one another for the most gifts to their area to unlock additional donations. Fulfilled challenges resulted in more than $100,000 in additional funding.

Notable Bulldogs and friends of the university helped promote Dawg Day of Giving, including head football coach Kirby Smart, Southern Living producer Ivy Odom Aponte and Atlanta meteorologist Chris Holcomb. Dawg Day of Giving events on campus energized students, faculty and staff, and more than two dozen UGA Alumni Association chapter events spurred donations from New York, San Diego, Chicago and elsewhere across the country.

“When we talk about the power of Bulldog Nation, this is precisely what we mean,” said Yvette Daniels, president of the UGA Alumni Association. “The unity and devotion this university inspires came to life in a beautiful way for Dawg Day of Giving. I am always proud to be a Bulldog, but especially so today.”

Those unable to donate on Dawg Day of Giving can still make a difference at UGA. Visit givingday.uga.edu to make a gift, learn more about the day and see leaderboards for a variety of giving categories.

2023 Dawg Day of Giving event at Tate Plaza. (Photo by Chamberlain Smith/UGA)

2023 Dawg Day of Giving event at Tate Plaza. (Photo by Chamberlain Smith/UGA)

Dawg Day of Giving results

UGA CARE Center receives major gift with touching dedication

Elliott Marsh (BSA ’02, MAL ’11) is highly involved in his alma mater, serving on the board of directors of the University of Georgia Alumni Association and having been a president of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Alumni Association, but his most recent commitment to the university is among his most personal.

For nearly eight years, Elliott’s father, Chris Marsh, suffered from Lewy Body Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. His mother, Annette Marsh, was Chris’s primary caretaker until she unexpectedly passed away from cancer. Throughout her husband’s illness, Annette struggled to find a diagnosis, care assistance at home and general information on care for dementia.

“My mom stood behind my dad, probably to her detriment,” said Elliott. “She sheltered all of us from some of the symptoms and issues that went along with his dementia and did not want it to take away from our lives.”

Following his father’s passing, Elliott, his wife Christy (BBA ’02), and their daughters Adison—a UGA student—and Annalee wanted to find a way to honor Chris and Annette’s memory while helping other families with similar medical histories. This drew the two to the UGA Cognitive Aging Research and Education (CARE) Center.

The CARE Center, a unit within the Institute of Gerontology in the College of Public Health, is a clinical, research and outreach space that delivers education on dementia risk reduction, conducts cutting-edge research and provides planning and support for persons with dementia and their care partners. Their team works to change dementia education, diagnosis, and support — expanding services to rural and underserved communities across the state. The mission of the CARE Center hit the Marshes close to home.

At a UGA Alumni Association board meeting last January, Elliott found himself in the College of Public Health listening to Marsha Davis, dean of the college, discuss the CARE Center and the impact it planned on having.

“I remember sitting there and almost starting to cry,” said Elliott. “What she described was exactly what my family needed.”

This impactful meeting convinced the Marshes that the CARE Center had the ability to affect millions across the state and the country suffering from dementia just like Elliott’s father. In memory of his parents, Elliott and Christy made a $25,000 gift to create the Chris and Annette Marsh CARE Center Student Support Fund to further the CARE Center’s life-changing mission.

“CARE faculty, staff and students see dementia differently,” said Dr. Lisa Renzi-Hammond, co-director of the CARE Center. “We see a Georgia with less care crisis, more access to early and accurate diagnosis, and in the long run, less dementia.”

“The Marsh family sees the same Georgia that we do, and their gift enables us to take students to the communities that need us most, allow students to see the beauty of Georgia’s rural communities, and form meaningful relationships with people in our rural communities that will change how our students approach their careers in health.”

Those who share the Marshes’ and the CARE Center’s aim to improve dementia outcomes can donate to the Chris and Annette Marsh CARE Center Student Support Fund.

“My parents modeled many traits in their lives including compassion, sacrifice, and commitment,” said Elliott. “They taught us to dream, care and counsel. Most of all they demonstrated and lived an undying love for each other and us. They touched many people in their lives, and I hope this gift helps to carry on that legacy of generosity and provide comfort to others in need.”

Support the UGA CARE Center

Kelly Layton supports UGA’s future artists and designers

University of Georgia alumna Kelly Layton made a significant investment in the future of the program that gave her her start with a $500,000 gift to create the Layton Graphic Design Endowment.

“Georgia has a great graphic design program, and more people need to know about it,” said Layton. “If you want to pursue art, UGA presents such a great opportunity: a quality program, a rich campus community and a well-rounded, liberal-arts education.”

The endowment will provide substantial support for the graphic design area—part of UGA’s Lamar Dodd School of Art. Graphic design is the most high-demand, selective major in the School of Art, and with her contribution, Layton hopes to both elevate the program and inspire future artists and designers.

“This gift will be transformative for graphic design and our students as we have minimal to no discretionary funds,” said Julie Spivey, graphic design professor and area chair. “We truly cannot thank Kelly enough.”

Layton, who received her bachelor of fine arts degree in 1990, is a longtime donor to the university along with her husband, Brent. Her gift came after a campus visit to the School of Art.

“I had not been to see the graphic design area since I was in school,” said Layton. “And after I went, met with the professors, listened to what the area’s needs were and sat in on a class, I knew the difference I could make and knew I had to contribute.”

Layton works on her senior portfolio in 1990.

Layton works on her senior portfolio in 1990.

Layton’s gift is the largest single commitment in the graphic design area’s history. Spivey, along with the rest of the graphic design faculty, believe that the endowment will help to further improve the small, but accomplished area of study.

Layton herself secured a design position at BellSouth after she graduated, and for half a decade, she climbed the ranks there until the tragic death of her younger sister led her to re-evaluate her life. She decided then to devote herself to supporting her family—she and Brent had a son two years prior to this decision and found they were expecting another two weeks after—and helping Brent grow his consulting business.

“I made sure to keep in touch with my art,” said Layton. “I made logos for my sons’ sports teams, did some volunteer graphic design for their schools, made logos for friends, calligraphy for weddings, things like that.”

The business she helped her husband grow opened doors that eventually led to him becoming president and COO of a company ranked 26 among the 2022 Fortune 500.

Brent and Kelly in 1987, just before that year's Georgia-Florida game.

Brent and Kelly in 1987, just before that year’s Georgia-Florida game.

Her family moved to St. Louis in 2010 and built a life there, but Georgia was never far from their minds—they continued to cheer for the Dawgs, and her oldest son even earned a master of science in business analytics degree last spring. Thanks in part to one of the Laytons’ neighbors, that affinity became something more in the last five years.

“Our neighbor was talking to us about all these organizations he was involved with, all this philanthropy, and he said, ‘First, you learn. Then, you earn. Then, you return,’” said Layton. “And I thought that was a great lesson. And so my husband and I decided: we’ve been blessed to earn a lot, we’re doing well, now we need to start returning.”

Since 2017, they have made numerous substantial gifts to UGA, committing to support—among other areas—athletics, scholarships targeting UGA students from their hometown, UGA’s study abroad program in Spain and now the graphic design endowment.

“The more involved we’ve gotten, the more connected we feel, and the more we want to do,” said Layton. “It’s been such a joy to get reconnected with the university in all these ways, to visit and feel the excitement of being on campus. We just feel like we’re home again, and this is where we want to be.”

Luther and Susie Harrison Foundation pledges $3M to Poultry Science Building

This story, written by Jordan Powers, was originally published on UGA Today on Dec. 15, 2022.

The Luther and Susie Harrison Foundation has pledged $3 million in support of the Poultry Science Building project at the University of Georgia. The pledge — the largest single gift to the building to date — will fund the lobby of the Poultry Science Building.

“We deeply appreciate the Luther and Susie Harrison Foundation’s remarkable generosity and the wonderful example they have set for other UGA partners in the agriculture industry,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “Their investment in the new Poultry Science Building will help ensure the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences remains a global leader in poultry science.”

The Luther and Susie Harrison Foundation was established by R. Harold Harrison in 1994 to honor his parents, Luther and Susie Harrison. Luther Harrison, a farmer, and Susie Tanner Harrison, an educator, instilled in their son the importance of education, perseverance and community giving.

“We intend for this gift to enhance the CAES Poultry Science Building and the college’s position as a leader in education and innovation in the field of poultry science,” said Kelley Tison, Luther and Susie Harrison Foundation board member and daughter of R. Harold and Patsy Harrison.

R. Harold Harrison, a 1941 CAES graduate, returned from World War II and began selling eggs and chicks in Barrow County. His business grew, and in 1958 he established Harrison Poultry Inc. in Bethlehem, Georgia. Harrison had a collaborative relationship with CAES, extending until his death in 2001. In his will, he made provisions for the Luther and Susie Harrison Foundation to continue supporting many organizations, including CAES. To this day, Harrison Poultry Inc. relies on the collaboration and research of the college.

In 2016, the Luther and Susie Harrison Foundation established the R. Harold Harrison Distinguished Professorship with a gift of $500,000. Poultry immunologist Rami Dalloul currently holds the position.

David Bleth, president and CEO of Harrison Poultry Inc., said he is proud to represent the company because of its community-focused vision. R. Harold Harrison, he said, was a proponent of education and a devoted UGA alumnus.

“Mr. Harrison would be thrilled to know that UGA is not only doing a fine job of training the next generation of leaders but also doing it at a high level — and to know that we are supporting it with state-of-the-art facilities,” Bleth said.

A facility to advance future opportunities

The new Poultry Science Building will better equip CAES faculty and students, the Georgia communities supported by the department of poultry science and the nation’s poultry industry for opportunities and challenges ahead. The poultry industry represents more than 50% of the agricultural income in Georgia, according to the UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development.

The 70,000-plus-square-foot building is a $54.1 million public-private partnership and is expected to open in fall 2023. State-of-the-art classrooms, modern laboratories and collaborative meeting spaces will support research in genetics, bird well-being, nutrition, poultry product safety, agribusiness and more.

“We are grateful for the support of the Luther and Susie Harrison Foundation and look forward to continuing our partnership,” said CAES Dean and Director Nick T. Place. “We are excited to build a facility that enables us to better recruit and develop the next generation of great poultry leaders.”

To learn more about the Poultry Science Building project and watch a live cam of construction progress, visit poultrybuilding.caes.uga.edu.

Support UGA Poultry Science

Don’t you hate missing out?

Especially when you don’t have to.

This year’s Heritage Society Tailgate (on November 5 prior to the UGA vs. Tennessee game) was a tremendous success. More than 130 spirited Bulldogs braved the drizzly weather to enjoy food, drink and fun with their fellow Heritage Society Members. Check out the photo gallery from this year’s festivities. (And how ’bout that game? Truly a win for the ages! It’s great to be a Georgia Bulldog!)

Want to attend the event next year? Simply become a member of the Heritage Society. Learn how you can help ensure UGA’s future, make a positive impact, cement your legacy and maybe even enjoy tax benefits. It’s easier than you might think! Contact the Office of Gift and Estate Planning for more information about joining the Heritage Society. As you can see from the photos, they’re a fun bunch.

 

New PLC Chairs highlight importance of parent philanthropy

Talia Murphy first stepped foot on campus as a freshman in 1980 just in time to experience the University of Georgia’s national championship win later that year. Now she enjoys the pride of yet another national championship victory for the Georgia Bulldogs, as her daughter, Lily, attends classes. Talia states, “being back on campus with this victory buzz in the air has been so fun, and finding our own place on campus through the Parents Leadership Council has strengthened the experience for our whole family.” Along with her husband, John, Talia serves as the chair of the Parents Leadership Council (PLC), an organization of parents who are eager to contribute to the university and support student-serving organizations.

After her graduation, Talia and John spent 30 years overseas with their three daughters. She was relatively removed from the university during this time, but when John was called back to Atlanta for his career at Coca-Cola, UGA was back on the couple’s radar—especially as their youngest daughter, Lily, was getting ready to apply for colleges. All it took for her to be sold on UGA was attending the renowned, annual Georgia-Georgia Tech football game. Through their daughter, John and Talia reconnected with UGA and have remained passionate ever since. Even though John, an Irish citizen who did not go to college in the United States, had no previous connection to UGA, he has become an avid Dawgs fan.

For the past few years, John and Talia have known they wanted to invest in UGA. Together, they have pledged to create a Georgia Commitment Scholarship, a need-based scholarship program built on private donations. In supporting Lily, the Murphys have developed a passion for supporting every UGA student across campus. As Talia states, “Where your kids are, that’s where you put your time, your effort, and your financial support.” This philosophy steered the couple to the Parents Leadership Council.

The Murphys became involved in the PLC during the height of the pandemic. Though they were unable to meet other members in person, they believed in the program and wanted to stay involved. As time went on, they were able to find a community in the PLC and encourage other parents to do the same.

“We love that there’s an organization where we can really make a difference as parents”, said Talia. “It taps parents into what’s happening on campus and allows us to address the needs of students as they come up through the grants program.”

After the Murphys dedicated over a year to the PLC, getting deeply involved with the campus community and student life, the two were presented with the opportunity to serve as chairs. The couple takes great pride in holding this position, and they are striving to make the PLC even more active and engaged with campus organizations. The PLC Grants Program, a longstanding PLC effort and a major focus for John and Talia, awarded $875,000 last year to 100 campus organizations. The Murphys, working with the PLC Grants Committee Chairs, want to raise more money for grant funding than ever before: their goal is to reach $1 million in donations from PLC members this year.

John and Talia encourage any interested parent to consider joining the PLC for the tight-knit community, the service to the university and an opportunity to continue supporting your children throughout their years in college, as well as many other students and student organizations. The PLC offers parents a unique chance to show up in a very tangible way for their children.

“Whether it’s attending meetings or mingling with fellow PLC members, council members have an opportunity to be on campus. But best of all, we have an opportunity to make a difference in a student’s life,” said the Murphys. “Exploring downtown restaurants with Lily and her friends is one thing, but now we are able to feel an extra sense of gratification knowing that we are supporting her journey one step further through the PLC.”

UGA wins Beat Week (again)

It’s always an exciting matchup when UGA and Auburn go head-to-head, and Beat Week 2022 was no exception.

Beat Week is the philanthropic counterpart to “The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry,” and the rules are simple: the university with the most gifts raised during the week leading up to the game wins!

Following UGA’s two consecutive victories, Auburn was looking for their first win this year—and for much of the week, it appeared they might just do it.

However, the UGA community rallied late in the week to take the lead after several days of trading back and forth with Auburn. The result was a double dose of victory for UGA on and off the field. And when the dust settled in the Gift Accounting office, the final score stood:

UGA–2,984

Auburn–1,817

A good coach always acknowledges that every win is a team effort, and that’s certainly true for Beat Week. Everyone played a role: alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff and friends!

UGA’s student body had an impressive outing worthy of SportsCenter’s Top-10 performances; over 700 students flexed their philanthropic muscles and took part in the effort!

Beat Week raised over $1 million to over 300 fund designations across campus supporting scholarships, research, academic programming and a lot more; proving that UGA isn’t just No. 1 in the newest AP Poll, but also in generosity.

Thank you to everyone who made Beat Week a success! GO DAWGS!

UGA breaks fundraising record with over $257M in FY22

University of Georgia alumni and friends gave back to UGA at unprecedented levels over the past fiscal year, breaking the university’s fundraising record with over $257.4 million in donations.

“It has been an exceptional year for our university, and the generous contributions provided by UGA alumni and friends have been a major factor in our success,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “I offer sincere thanks to the UGA Foundation Board of Trustees and each and every donor for helping our students turn their dreams into reality, supporting our faculty to advance their teaching and scholarship, and growing our public service and outreach programs that strengthen communities and expand economic development.”

The record-breaking amount came from 71,302 donors. In five of the last six years, UGA’s yearly fundraising total has been over $200 million, and the university’s three-year rolling average, which averages the three most recent years of giving, reached $212.5 million for FY22.

“The remarkable generosity of UGA donors illustrates the strong and distinctive philanthropic culture throughout the UGA community,” said Neal Quirk, Chair of the UGA Foundation Board of Trustees. “This record-setting year will benefit our students, our campus and our state long into the future, and our Trustees are extremely grateful to all donors who made this happen.”

Collectively, donors created 116 scholarship funds and 18 endowed faculty positions, bringing the university’s total to 340 endowed faculty positions.

Private giving to the university fueled significant progress across all areas of campus, including several marquee and priority projects.

  • The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation committed $15 million to the $30 million renovation of the Holmes-Hunter Academic Building, the historic north campus building named for Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter-Gault, UGA’s first Black students. The project will include an array of improvements that will significantly enhance functionality while also restoring historic features of the building and honoring Holmes and Hunter-Gault.
  • Following a transformational gift of over $3.5 million from the estate of M. Louise McBee, UGA paid tribute to the former administrator and state legislator with the naming of the Louise McBee Institute of Higher Education. The gift—the largest in the institute’s nearly 60-year history—will benefit the Louise McBee Distinguished Professorship in Higher Education and the Louise McBee Lecture in Higher Education and create an endowment providing broad support for the institute.
  • The $54.1 million Poultry Science Building project is receiving robust support from industry, alumni and other donors. Gifts to the project total over $10 million as of July—significant progress toward the $27 million private funding goal. The state-of-the-art facility, expected to be complete in fall 2023, will train future generations of leaders in one of Georgia’s most important industries.
  • The successful Georgia Commitment Scholarship Program continued to attract donors and expand support for students with financial need. In August, the UGA Foundation allocated an additional $1 million in matching funds—a popular component of the program that allows donors to immediately double their impact. These funds were quickly accounted for, and today, the program is responsible for more than 650 scholarships and nearly $100 million in commitments to need-based aid.

Donors also made a significant impact on March 31—Georgia Giving Day—when UGA supporters gave 9,339 gifts to the university in 24 hours, far surpassing the day’s initial goal of 1,785 gifts. Georgia Giving Day gifts totaled $5.3 million, and each of UGA’s 18 schools and colleges received donations. Donors—including over 600 students—originated from 130 Georgia counties, all 50 states and 16 countries.

“This year, more donors gave to the University of Georgia than ever before. All of our metrics indicate that Bulldogs’ commitment to giving back is not just sustained but strengthening,” said Kelly Kerner, UGA vice president for development and alumni relations. “I don’t know if there’s ever been a better time to be a Georgia Bulldog than the last 12 months.”

$1 million gift to promote Terry College study abroad scholarships

This story, written by Ed Morales, was originally published on UGA Terry College of Business on June 28, 2022.

The University of Georgia received a $1 million gift to the Terry College of Business to support students and faculty pursuing work and study abroad opportunities in the risk management industry.

The gift from the family of Scott and Linda Sink of Birmingham, Alabama, will help fund travel, research, internships and other expenses, with first priority supporting study abroad trips to Bermuda and London for students in Terry’s Risk Management and Insurance (RMI) program. The RMI program administers the Insurance Market in Bermuda trip during spring break and the Insurance Market in London trip during Maymester. The endowment will also supply financial resources to bring visiting faculty and international scholars to UGA who provide a global perspective on risk management.

Scott Sink serves as Senior EVP and Energy Division Practice Leader at McGriff Insurance Services, Inc., an insurance broker specializing in business and personal insurance, employee benefit solutions, risk management services and more. He graduated from the Terry College in 1984 with a BBA in risk management and insurance, serves on the RMI Program Advisory Board, and was named Terry’s 2012 Risk Management Alumnus of the Year. The Sinks are members of the Terry College Shareholders’ Society, which helps fund college initiatives to support students, programs, and faculty teaching and research.

“We recognize the importance of international business experience and exposure to other cultures to cultivate a global mindset when starting your career,” Scott Sink said. “Terry’s RMI program has provided our family with an abundance of opportunities, and we are thrilled to make these experiences more accessible to Terry students.”

Expanding study abroad is a key initiative for the Terry College of Business, which seeks to provide vast and diverse access to international learning experiences needed to excel in a global business environment, said Dean Benjamin C. Ayers. The average cost for a study abroad experience is $5,000, and the college currently offers fewer than 10 endowed donor-supported study abroad scholarships.

“This important gift will open the doors in perpetuity for more Terry students to have the ability to learn and experience international business firsthand,” Ayers said. “About a third of our students have financial need, and the Sinks’ generosity helps the college lift that barrier to provide opportunities to study abroad to more of our students.”

Ranked No. 1 overall by U.S. News & World Report, Terry’s RMI program is the largest undergraduate program of its kind in the U.S., boasting more than 500 students.

To learn more about study abroad opportunities at the Terry College, please contact Kathy Ortstadt in the Terry Development and Alumni Relations Office at ortstadt@uga.edu.

SUPPORT THE TERRY COLLEGE STUDY ABROAD SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Donors make 9,339 gifts on Georgia Giving Day

UGA’s first 24-hour fundraising campaign smashes goals, nets $5.3 million to areas across campus

The University of Georgia’s first institution-wide, 24-hour fundraising effort, Georgia Giving Day, finished at midnight PST on April 1 after receiving 9,339 gifts.

UGA’s goal for its inaugural giving day was 1,785 gifts, but overwhelming support pushed the campaign past its first goal, a second goal of 3,318 and even a third goal of 6,000.

“I’m so grateful to everyone who contributed to this astonishing result, and I want them to know that they are part of more than just a successful fundraising effort,” said Kelly Kerner, UGA vice president for development and alumni relations. “They are now part of a student’s journey to Athens, a community solving local issues through UGA research, a team of students and faculty finishing a project that puts them on the national stage. All these things and many more are made possible with the help of our donors.”

Georgia Giving Day generated $5.3 million in new funding, with gifts going to each of UGA’s 18 schools and colleges. Donors came from 50 states and 16 countries.

Some donors did more than donate, however. UGA alumni chapters across the U.S. organized events for Georgia Giving Day that encouraged attendees to make gifts while participating in a variety of activities. Events from St. Louis to Dallas to Savannah to Boston saw Bulldogs giving back while bowling, brunching, wine tasting and more.

UGA enlisted a number of prominent alumni to promote the effort. UGA head football coach Kirby Smart, broadcasters Deborah Roberts and Maria Taylor, author and Super Bowl champion Malcolm Mitchell and J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Josh Brooks—all Georgia Giving Day donors themselves—helped reach out to UGA supporters.

“When Bulldogs come together, our wins extend beyond the football field into the very heart of what UGA stands for: a better quality of life for everyone,” said Smart in a Georgia Giving Day promotional video. “With all of the Bulldog Nation working together, there’s no limit to who and where we can help.”

Students played a notable role in the day’s success through the annual Senior Signature campaign, which allows graduating students to have their names included on a plaque in Tate Plaza with a $30 gift supporting UGA and the school or college of their choice. The campaign’s final day was March 31, and thanks to Georgia Giving Day efforts, it acquired nearly 22 percent of its student donor goal in a single day.

Those who were unable to donate on Georgia Giving Day can still make a difference at UGA. Visit givingday.uga.edu to make a gift, learn more about Georgia Giving Day and watch a special video from Coach Smart.