Our term project revolved around putting in real-world work with a local non-profit organization. As a class, we divided into groups then picked a local organizaiton to work with. Our group chose Ever After Gowns (EAG). EAG collects gently used and donated new prom dresses for young woman who cannot afford a dress of their own. In addition they collect shoes, accessories, make up kits, hair products, and gift certificates. Once all the items are collected, they hold a "Shopping Day" where young women who are nominated by their schools come to their "store" and shop for their prom dress. Each person is paired up with a personal shopper who helps pick out a dress, shoes, accessories and give them hair/make-up tips. 

 

As a group we raised over $200 for the organziation and we brought over 150 dresses, 20 accesssory items, 25 shoes, and 10 brand new make-up kits. It was a great honor to participate in the "shopping day" because I had the opprotunity to see where our hard work went. These young woman who couldn't afford a simple dress were walking out with $500+ dresses, shoes, accessories; all for free. The confidence and self-worth I saw in these young woman as they left is something I will never forget. 

Our great professor, David Bonko, proposed two options for our final exam around the second week of March, 2011. Either we have a 200 question test; or, as a class we develop a fundraiser for the victims of the tsunami that hit Japan a few days earlier. Of course as a class we picked the fundraiser. In about 5 weeks we;

1) Developed an idea of a concert that raised money and clean socks (no electricity, no dryers)

2) Secured a venue that donated the stage and all the tips for the evening

3) Connected with six local musicians/bands who all donated their time to play

4) Organized a campaign to promote the event in the community and surrounding communities

5) Worked and supported the event before, during, and after on the day of

 

What makes this situation unique is that it was the first time a class developed and implimented our own idea. It was such a sucess that now two different classes, one fall term and one spring term, develop their own event to put on in the community for a local non-profit. 

 

Personally; for the promotion of the event I developed the poster below, got it printed, distrubitied them across campus and the community. In addition I manned the main entrance table to collect donations and helped take down the stage and lights after the event. It was an amazing experience and it shows how a group of like-minded people can come together and promote change and good deeds in this world.