Unum joined Chattanooga State Community College recently to celebrate the success of ChattState's first-ever Give Day, a joint effort to raise $45,000 in 24 hours to support student success and remove financial barriers to education.

Unum supported the ChattState Foundation's fundraising effort with a 2-to-1 match on funds raised up to $15,000. In addition to Unum's generous $30,000 donation, more than 200 employees, students, alumni and community members donated, raising $46,653, according to a news release.

Funds raised during Give Day were allocated to the Tiger Cupboard, the Helping Hands Fund and the SkillsUSA Fund.

The Tiger Cupboard is an on-campus food bank accessible to students, faculty and staff.

The Helping Hands Fund distributes up to $500 to assist students experiencing unforeseen emergencies that would otherwise prevent them from staying in school and completing their program of study.

The SkillsUSA Fund provides funding for students participating in SkillsUSA, a technical skills competition that offers participants a chance at scholarships, trade tools and employment opportunities.

"Unum's partnership has been instrumental in the success of our first ever ChattState Give Day," Nancy Patterson, vice president of college advancement and public relations at ChattState, said in the release.

Payton Potter

Chattanooga State