June 18 or 618 day is an informal day of supporting businesses in the 618 area code. Area businesses celebrate with specials on their products to encourage customers to shop local.
The SIU Alumni Association is using 618 day to support businesses and students in the 618 area code next week.
Molly Hudgins, the executive director of the SIU Alumni Association says they're supporting the 618 Day effort to highlight and support businesses in the southern Illinois region. 618 day refers to the date June 18th to represent the southern Illinois phone area code. To Hudgins, this is an opportunity to support SIU students who live in the 618 area code.
They're using the opportunity of 618 day to support alumni scholarships from southern Illinois. This year the alumni association is focusing on building up the endowment of the Williamson County Scholarship.
They're working with 618 Tap House hosting an event with music and food. As part of the event they're raising money for the scholarship with a raffle featuring prizes from Black Diamond and Oasis Motor sports.
Hudgins says these scholarships will help current and new students go to school locally and keep them connected with their community.
The event is free, but registration is encouraged. Visit siualumni.com or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/618-day-celebration-618-tap-house-tickets-1396904822929?aff=ebdsoporgprofile.
Businesses with the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce are hosting specials next week in honor of 618 Day: https://cca.carbondalechamber.com/EvtListing.aspx?dbid2=ILCARB&evtid=19079&class=B
