Camosun Business students raise more than $39,000 for charity

Media Release
Release Date: May 5, 2014

Camosun business students are making a huge difference in the lives of local and global citizens thanks to recent service learning projects that raised over $39,000 in cash donations for local agencies.

While the monetary value alone is impressive, there are intrinsic benefits, too, that amplify the value of the selected projects: increased awareness of important community agencies, validation of the services they provide, support for the clients they serve and, from an educational perspective, life-long practical skills that graduates will invest into their future communities and careers.

Instructor Carl Everitt says, "Philanthropy is a learned behaviour. The projects our business students take on become a forum for these future industry leaders to hone their skills and develop sustainable business relationships with local not-for-profit stakeholders."

Congratulations to the students and, THANK YOU to the faculty and support staff who provide vision, encouragement, creativity and tremendous insight in the delivery of life-long learning.

Hospitality Integrated Events Management—HMGT 286

IMPACT: $19,700 over 1.5 years

Business acumen is fundamental to all ventures in Canadian society, so it really isn't that far a stretch to link Camosun's Hospitality Management program and Child Care Services, is it? In October, 2012, Integrated Events Management students planned and executed the sold-out inaugural Wine Maker's Dinner that featured farm to table delicacies paired with local wines, raising nearly $2,000 for Camosun Child Care Services. Students integrated the skills they learned in the classroom—leadership, management, critical thinking, marketing and finance—and applied them to benefit a tangible cause.  In an encore event last December, students raised an additional $2,700. This time, the event featured an elegant gourmet dining experience, silent auction and a dance featuring the Vic High Rhythm & Blues Band.

"The partnership between the HMGT program and Child Care Services is an amazing fit", says Lisa Stekelenburg, Manager of Child Care Services. "We have been so pleased with this partnership opportunity that sustains student learning through a practical fundraising event and contributes to the sustainability of a college service. The students are professional and deliver a first class event every time."

During the 2013 fall semester, amidst projects and exams, HMGT 286 students raised an additional $15,000 for charity through seven other co-ordinated events. Community-based clients included Community Micro-Lending, Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre and the Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association.

Marketing Project Management—Marketing 420

IMPACT: $13,000 in one term

VIDEA was chosen as the international service-learning organization for winter term 2014 where Mark 420 students planned and executed a fundraising project for theGlobal Solidarity Challengethat took place March 24-30. Through their planning and hard work the Mark 420 class raised a total of $12,795.85!

Anne McIntyre won the GSC grand prize draw—a trip to one of VIDEA's projects in Africa this November.

The Camosun Costa Cruzers, a student group at Lansdowne, also participated in VIDEA's Global Solidarity Challenge, contributing an additional $575 and bringing the total raised by Camosun students to $13,370.83.

Congratulations and a big thank you to all individuals and teams. Instructor Anne Borrowman says, "We are so proud of all students for their creativity, inspiration and hard work."

Golf Management

IMPACT: $6,300 in one term

Camosun's Professional Golf Management students raised over $6,300 for the BC Children's Hospital Foundation from their annual Bear Mountain Golf Tourney on March 28. The Tournament and Event Management class (Golf 114) hosted the yearly tourney as part of a class-wide project to get hands-on training in organizing and hosting a public tournament.

"These service learning projects provide learners with the opportunity to engage with local and international stakeholders, enhancing their learning experience beyond the walls of the traditional classroom," concludes Everitt. "In my opinion, this speaks to the applied learning advantage, and it's one reason why many of our learners choose Camosun."

Contact

Camosun Department of Communications, Advancement and Planning
250-370-4626
communications@camosun.ca