Students will be able to write thank you cards to those supporting their education during the annual Day of Thanks, sponsored by the Student Activities Board, on Nov. 16.

The Day of Thanks will take place in the Grewcock Student Union, where there will be tables for students to write thank you cards. Volunteers will work at an informational table where students can pick up necessary information about their donor, according to junior and SAB creative team lead Joy Hanes.

The purpose of the Day of Thanks is to give students the opportunity to learn about those supporting their education, including donors, and to write them thank you cards. 

Director of Student Activities Madelyn Clark said the financial aid, alumni relations and student activities offices work together to mail out the student cards.

After turning in their cards, students press a card counter button to tally the number of cards submitted during the event.

This year, SAB will place the box for finished letters near the statue of Winston Churchill to accommodate the large number of students it expects to participate, according to Hanes. 

Hanes said the Day of Thanks is also a great opportunity to write letters to family members and professors that students are grateful for. 

“There are incredible people in my life that have made this education possible for me where it otherwise might not have been,” Hanes said. “With that in mind I’m reminded that my education is not a selfish pursuit but ultimately to serve others and to serve God.”

Because the Day of Thanks lasts all day, students have the opportunity to drop by in between classes. 

“I will be writing as many letters as I can throughout the day,” Hanes said. “For me, Day of Thanks is always a valuable reminder that I am not here at Hillsdale on my own ability.” 

Junior Rachel Moeller said she attended the event during her freshman and sophomore year. 

“My favorite part of day of thanks is how everyone including SAB, the artists across the campus, and the student body chip in to focus the day on blessings,” Moeller said. “The union is often full of tables covered in cards with many students bent over crafting their letters. This day fills me with the spirit of Thanksgiving.”

SAB will also set up a trail mix and coffee bar for students to grab a snack while writing their thank you cards, according to Hanes.

Moeller said many of the thank you cards are designed by Hillsdale’s art students. 

According to Hanes, students sent more than 4,000 letters of thanks.