When the pandemic caused the cancellation of an in-person Homecoming this fall at Central Methodist University, alumni across the country were forced to change plans. The typical crowd of 3,500 people in Fayette didn’t materialize.

Not only did it mute the weekend, but it hit the pocketbook of Fayette businesses. So CMU and its alumni based stepped up to help out.

A unique fundraising campaign was developed to benefit students as well as the hard-hit business community, said Bill Sheehan, vice president of advancement and alumni relations.

“Some of these businesses lost thousands,” Sheehan said. “An alum pointed out the impact and asked if we could do something.”

Sheehan sought donations from alumni, and CMU’s advancement office would then take the funds and purchase gift cards for needy students, and for student rewards and incentives.

Lasting from Sept. 19-28, the campaign was a big hit.

“We raised $6,500,” Sheehan said. “We had gifts from $20 all the way up to $1,000. And true to the spirit of Central, every decade from the 1950s forward was involved.”

Sheehan, who purchased the gift cards last week from a variety of Fayette businesses, said the proprietors were appreciative. The student development office will begin distributing the gift cards right away.