Members of the college’s AMA chapter at the start of the Race for the Cure at Bayfront Park in Miami, Florida, on October 21, 2006

What do the Race for the Cure and the Simon Evening of Giving have in common?

A number of things: both are charitable events for good causes, both involve walking, and both benefited in 2006 thanks to the efforts of members of the college’s American Marketing Association (AMA) chapter.

Susan Komen Race for the Cure draws walkers of all abilities.

The Susan Komen Miami/Fort Lauderdale Race for the Cure took place on October 21, 2006, at Bayfront Park in Miami. It included a 5K Run/Walk, a one-mile Fun Walk, and a Tot Run.

“We raised $400 through member donations, and fifteen of us walked in the 5K event,” said Maria Glenny, AMA’s vice president and one of the participants.

Vanessa Ortiz, AMA historian

Nancy Brinker established the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in 1982 to honor the memory of her sister, who died of breast cancer at the age of 36. The event seeks to increase public awareness about breast cancer as well as to raise money for research.

Mall walk raises more money.

On November 19, 2006, AMA members took their walking inside: to the Dadeland Mall, where they participated in the nationwide Simon Evening of Giving, a fun-filled fundraiser and kickoff for the holiday shopping season. Simon Property Group, Inc., is a real estate investment trust whose Evening of Giving and Day of Giving raise money for the Simon Youth Foundation (SYF) as well as for the groups that participate.

“Everyone in our chapter sold tickets, and fifteen of us who are older than 21 attended,” Glenny said. “The tickets cost $35 and enabled the ticket-holder to come to the mall between 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., when it is closed to the public. The stores stay open and offer discounts, and there’s free food and an open bar, plus a fashion show and live music.”

Current members of the college’s chapter of AMA were joined by former AMA president Jennifer Weiss (BBA ’06)—lower right—along with Weiss’ niece, at the Race for the Cure.

AMA participated last year, but this year the group mounted a more focused effort, with all members required to sell tickets. The effort netted $1,155 for the cause. Seventy to eighty percent of the funds generated from each ticket goes to the group that sold it, with the rest going to the SYF, which benefits at-risk kids.

“AMA’s involvement in community service projects such as these is part of why the chapter won the distinction of being named “Collegiate Chapter of the Year” at the 28th Annual International Collegiate Conference in Orlando in March, 2006,” said Tim Dugan Birrittella, instructor, Department of Marketing, and the chapter’s faculty advisor.

Vice president of philanthropy, Nicole Perez, finds events for the group, with several related to the winter holidays on the docket.