College is typically a time of studying, partying, self-exploration and planning your future. But, it's not often that your actions during these four years really make a significant impact on the lives of others.
At California State University Fresno (a.k.a. Fresno State), students enrolled in Marketing courses at the Craig School of Business are learning more than just how to become business-savvy execs. They're learning how to fold charity, fundraising and volunteerism into their every day lives.
For the past three years, in partnership with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, students have had the option of organizing and leading a Friends & Family Team and participating in The Light The Night Walk- for course credit! 
As part of individual coursework, students are required to complete a service-learning project. In short, the project is meant to teach students to lead a philanthropic or entrepreneurial initiative.
After completing his "Light The Night Project," former Marketing student, Ryan Summers, put it best: "It felt really good to do something for someone else. Sometimes you get wrapped up in your life and think you have so much to worry about; events like this put everything into perspective."
By accepting the challenge, the student becomes a Team Captain and recruits a group of people to walk. S/he sets fundraising goals, develops a marketing plan, organizing fundraising activities, creates marketing materials - including flyers, poster and letters - and executes the plan. The project culminates with the walk - this year it's on October 6th - held on-campus.
Since 2005, more than 200 students at Fresno State have completed The Light The Night Project, raising a total of $70,000. Dr. Skip Sherwood, Professor Emeritus of Marketing and member of the LTN Committee, lends his expertise to students involved in this project. He notes, "As a former marketing professor, I am constantly overwhelmed by the dedication, passion, and abilities of the students in the Craig School of Business."
To learn more about the Light The Night Walk in Fresno or a community near you, visit www.lightthenight.org.
For more information on The Light The Night Project , visit the Fresno State information page.
Image from www.fresnostatenews.com.
The Light The Night Walk Blog
2 Posts tagged with the fundraising tag
Team I Do: Put yourself in the shoes of Dianne or Chuck, in Orange County, CA. They met and began dating and fell in love. Shortly after, Dianne was hospitalized and diagnosed with Stage IV Lymphoma. With this terrifying news, Dianne told Chuck that he should run for the door – that her diagnosis wouldn’t be fair or fun for him. Remarkably, Chuck said “Dianne, when God gives you a gift, you don’t give it back.” And from that moment on, the pair knew they would fight tooth and nail to battle cancer and face the world, together. Chuck proposed to Dianne at her hospital bedside.
Three months into a relationship, I can’t imagine that there are too many people who would have faced this threat the way that Chuck did.
After six months of excruciating chemotherapy and treatments, with Chuck by her side, Dianne is now in 100% remission. And the two are due to be married this September. Happily ever after ---
The story could end here, but instead, this astounding couple is selflessly turning their wedding celebration into a $10,000 fundraiser for Light The Night. They are marrying on Friday and inviting their 60 guests to “walk with them after they walk down the aisle” as “Team I Do” on Saturday at The Light The Night Walk.
In addition, Dianne and Chuck are spending some time leading up to the wedding attending and hosting fundraising events – like a “Survivor Strut” Fashion Show. And to top that all off, Dianne has also buddied-up with a Team In Training participant who is now training for a marathon in her honor.
Well, needless to say, this story just touched my heart. Here they are, facing cancer (and kicking it's butt!), marrying the loves of their lives, and, if they didn't have enough on their plates, dedicating their special day to help LLS! This type of generosity and selflessness does not come around often. And I am honored to be a part of an organization with such beautiful supporters.
Do you know a unique fundraising or mission-related story? I’d love to share it. Leave a comment or email me.
