SALISBURY — The phones will be ringing off the hook Friday at Livingstone College during its first phone-a-thon — with a twist.

That is the intent of organizers Vincia Benjamin Miller, director of alumni affairs; Deborah Johnson, United Negro College Fund director for the college; and Anthony Davis, chief operating officer and vice president of institutional advancement.

It’s part of the celebration of Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States in which slaves in Galveston, Texas, didn’t learn of the Emancipation Proclamation until two and half years after it was official.

There will be four phone lines open for the phone-a-thon, or donors can drop by the Walls Center on campus at 800 West Thomas Street to deliver donations in person. An online option is available at www.livingstone.edu as well as check or money order by mail to Office of Alumni Affairs, 701 West Monroe  St., Salisbury, NC 28144.

Numbers to call are: 704-216-6009; 704-216-6950; 704-216-6118; and 704-216-6962.

Now for the twist: the phone-a-thon will feature a different deejay for every hour of the campaign, live on Livingstone College’s official YouTube Channel from the Walls Center. Plus it will air live on the campus radio station, WLJZ 107.1 FM. Deejays include CP the Peoples Champ, DJ Special K, Gate III, DJ Smaxkz, DJ King and DJ Trellz.

“We’ve participated in phone-a-thons before that were hosted by UNCF, but we’ve never hosted one on our campus to my knowledge in the 30 years I’ve been here,” Johnson said.

On-air announcements and check presentations will be made. Pledges will also be accepted, but all donations must be received by the end of the fiscal year, which is June 30.

More than 20 volunteers, alumni, staff and community volunteers will man phone lines and assist in executing the event, Miller said.

“This is a creative way for our alumni and friends to give and to help raise funds for our students and for scholarships,” Miller said. “Donors can designate where they want to apply their contributions, whether it be for UNCF, scholarships, athletics, band or the concert choir. It’s up to them.”

Johnson said any money donated specifically for UNCF will be applied toward Livingstone’s goal.

“There is a renewed interest in Juneteenth this year due to the current racial climate in our country,” Livingstone President Jimmy Jenkins said. “This is an ideal occasion to put your money where your heart is and support Livingstone College as our mission is to transform lives so that they can impact the world.”

The event runs from noon-6 p.m. on Friday.