PR students raise more than $1,000 for United Way

Nineteen Cambrian College public relations students have raised $1,119.66 for the United Way as part of a practical fundraising school project.

They raised the funds through a music night and dress-down days.

The students were joined in a recent celebration of their fundraising success by by public relations program co-ordinator and professor Nancy Griffin, Cambrian College United Way Campaign co-chairs Sue Bartlett and Kim Glibbery, and United Way staff Emily Mackwood and Katherine Cockburn.

“Cambrian’s advanced diploma and graduate certificate programs in public relations have a hands-on focus, and this fundraising project is a great example of that,” Griffin said, in the press release.

“We believe strongly in ‘service-learning,’ or the idea that students can learn effectively in a real-life situation and serve the community at the same time. The students and I are proud to associate ourselves with a great cause like the United Way, especially knowing that the funds raised will be helping people so close to home.”

In February, Griffin invited Emily Mackwood, resource development manager at United Way, and Ron Lessard, executive director of the Learning Disabilities Association, to speak with the class about United Way and its funded programs.

They also shared key fundraising strategies and spoke about the impact that fundraising can have on a community.

“It was a pleasure meeting these students and getting the opportunity to inform them about what we do,” Mackwood said.

“The fundraising class gives them the tools to focus their energy to raise money using tried and true best practices. We were grateful that Nancy Griffin chose United Way as the charity of choice this year and we're happy to see the students respond positively to the challenge.”

Last year, the Cambrian College United Way Campaign raised $20,798. The funds raised by students will kick start the 2012 Cambrian College United Way Campaign in the fall.

Posted by Arron Pickard