July 23, 2013 - 4:27am
After weeks of preparation and one day of fierce competition, three teams of Master of Business Administration (MBA) students from Vancouver Island University raised over $8,000 for a worthwhile seniors charity in the community.
All funds raised will go towards making the dreams of local Vancouver Island seniors come true through the new charitable Dream On Seniors Wish Foundation.
The foundation, which aims to inspire seniors to never stop dreaming, is the brain child of local home care provider Nurse Next Door, chosen as the sponsor for this year’s MBA Business Challenge.
Each term, MBA students form three teams and are assigned the task of organizing and promoting a major community event to raise funds for charity. The winning team receives the coveted Mike Mann MBA Business Challenge Trophy, named after retired VIU Dean of Management, Mike Mann.
“Sponsoring VIU’s MBA business challenge was a perfect fit for our company, enabling us to work with students in the program and support seniors at the same time,” said Nurse Next Door owner Chris Wilkinson. “It was amazing to see the support from the community during the students’ fundraising initiatives and see their hard work pay-off.”
“The competition was a huge success fundraising wise and it also gave students real world experience designing, managing and executing a major business project,” explained MBA internship coordinator David Woodward. “Students developed their organizational and event planning skills, networked with the local business community and raised awareness and funds for a meaningful charitable cause.”
The winning team, who called themselves the VIP’s, raised $3,941, and took home the Mike Mann MBA Business Challenge Trophy. Their community event was a concert featuring writer and blues artist David Essig and the winner of the Vancouver Island Talent Search, Mikaila Tomba.
The other MBA teams did everything from selling Krispy Kreme donuts to hosting an afternoon of movie showings on VIU’s Nanaimo campus.
“We greatly appreciate the dedication of the hardworking Vancouver Island University MBA students who raised more money for the Dream On Seniors’ Wish Foundation than we ever imagined,” said Gayla DeHart, stand-in Director of Dream On Seniors Wish Foundation. “The funds raised will go a long way towards making dreams come true for many seniors across Vancouver Island. Instead of merely coping with age, we need to celebrate it and encourage seniors to dream.”
To help achieve the foundation’s mission and make the dreams of local seniors come true, referrals are being sought from caregivers, community workers, friends, family members and deserving seniors with a dream. Dreams can come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from computer lessons to a trip across the world to reunite a family. Please send submissions to www.dreamonseniorswish.org .
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ABOUT VIU
Vancouver Island University is Canada’s west coast university. Known as a centre of excellence for teaching, learning and applied research, VIU offers a diverse range of certificate, diploma and undergraduate and master degree programs to more than 18,000 students on campuses in Nanaimo, Powell River and Cowichan, and at the Parksville-Qualicum Centre. For more information visit www.viu.ca
ABOUT DREAM ON SENIORS WISH FOUNDATION
The Dream On Seniors Wish Foundation is an independent charity that makes the dreams of seniors come true while inspiring people to never stop dreaming. It was founded in Vancouver by Nurse Next Door, one of North America’s fastest growing home care companies dedicated to delivering flexible, affordable and quality care options to seniors. Anyone can submit a dream, or donate funds, to support the dreams of local seniors. For more information visit www.NurseNextDoor.com or www.dreamonseniorswish.org.
Media Contact
Janina Stajic, Manager, Communications and Public Engagement, Vancouver Island University P: 250.740.6288 E: Communications@viu.ca Twitter: @VIUNews
Tags: In the Community
