Ole Miss Students Rally to Support Peers Facing Emergencies
Second annual Holman Fund Fall Classic raises money and awareness for emergency assistance fund
OXFORD, Miss. – University of Mississippi students will help fellow students by playing kickball and baseball in the Holman Fund Fall Classic at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at Swayze Field.
The Associated Student Body, College Panhellenic Council and Interfraternity Council are teaming up to host this competition to raise money for the Christopher C. Holman Fund for Student Emergencies.
The fund assists students experiencing a personal crisis such as a natural disaster, loss of a loved one or property loss.
"Founded by the Holman sisters in honor of their father, Christopher C. Holman, this fund acts as a safety net to cover emergency housing assistance, daily food, basic living expenses, medical expenses and other costs that could be affecting individuals," said Conner Ball, a senior integrated marketing communications major from Marietta, Georgia, and IFC vice president of council affairs and programming.
The fund also helps keep students on the path to graduation, said Caroline Croley, a senior public policy leadership and English major from Atlanta and ASB secretary.
"From this fund, micro-grants can be awarded to students during their time of need," she said. "Focusing on schoolwork, part-time jobs and a normal routine can be extremely difficult when your personal life is dramatically disrupted by an emergency."
In its second year, the classic is a long-term philanthropy that comprises donations, ticket sales, percentage days at area businesses and pie-a-president contests where teams earn points throughout the competition. The two fraternity teams with the highest points compete in a baseball game, and the two highest-scoring sorority teams will play kickball.
The goal is to not only raise money for the fund, but also to raise awareness.
"So often, people forget that outside of Ole Miss and Oxford, the world is still spinning, and tragedies don't wait for a convenient time to occur," Ball said. "A student enduring a true hardship shouldn't have to worry about finances during that time, and this scholarship helps alleviate some of the financial stress.
"This is truly an amazing cause with amazing people behind it, who are making a huge impact on so many students across our campus. Any donation is truly making a difference in a student's life."
The event is open to everyone. Purchase tickets or make donations here.
Top: Ole Miss students will gather at Swayze Field on Nov. 4 for the Holman Fund Fall Classic to raise money for fellow students who encounter personal crises and need assistance to stay in school. Photo by Kevin Bain/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services