Members of Group 19 in the BBA+ Weekend’s Business in Society class in the College of Business Administration have been working diligently on a special class project, “Spark for ARC” (Association for Retarded Citizens of South Florida). Their goal was to raise $20,000 to provide disabled children with specialized computer equipment to improve their educational and developmental chances. The culmination of the students’ efforts will take place in a ceremony on December 15, 2005, in the Miami Dade ARC Center, during which the equipment will be presented.
Through a series of fundraisers—raffles, lunches, flea markets, car washes, and more—as well as donations, the students have reached their goal—the largest ever for any BBA+ Weekend cohort involved in a community service project (which all of them have done/are required to do).
“We have collected all the money as of December 6” said Ana Lorenzo, who, with Melanie G. Barnick, has served as project leader.
Their achievement marks a milestone in the history of the Business and Society course.
“I didn’t tell them theirs was the most ambitious goal ever in the history of the program,” said Robert Hogner, management and international business professor and director of the College’s Civic Engagement Initiative, who teaches the Business and Society course. “Their achievement is historic and remarkable—setting a new standard for future BBA+ Weekend cohorts.
Platinum sponsors (donations of $2,000 or more) include Celebrity Cruise Line, Commerce Bank, Eurobank, Ocean Bank, and Regions Bank. Silver sponsors (contributions of $500 to $1,000) are LDM Industries and Mello Concrete Services. Bronze sponsors (contributions of $250 to $500) are ATM Services Net, Control Building Services, Inc., Lotus Garden, and The Company (Real Estate-Development-Management). There also is a gold category for donations of $1,000 to $2,000.
“We have seen repeatedly in this program what can be achieved when we join hands in a noble cause,” said Donald Roomes, director of the BBA+ Weekend program. “I congratulate cohort 19 for putting this together, and want to underscore their thanks to all the other cohorts who helped to make this happen.”
“Spark for ARC” is part of Project Thrive (Infant & Toddler Stimulation Program) of ARC. The Business in Society course, as well as the College’s Civic Engagement Initiative, requires students to participate in community projects to ensure that they will be socially conscious and responsible business leaders.
