CCU students fundraise and fill backpacks for Fostering Hope
by Foster
More than 560 First-Year Experience (FYE) and business management students at Coastal Carolina University raised more than $34,260 and collected 236 backpacks and care packages full of hygiene products, toys and supplies for the children served through Fostering Hope in Conway.
Students in the E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration filled 110 backpacks with items and two large vans full of extra supplies. The University College FYE students assembled 126 care packages, each filled with specific items such as clothing, hygiene and school supplies and toys for children ranging in age from infants to teens.
The funds and supplies were the culmination of a semester-long service project benefitting Fostering Hope, a local organization that provides goods and services to local foster care children in crisis.
The idea originated three years ago with Paula Lippert in University College, and since then, the business students have embraced the project as well.
“I enjoy seeing the students get involved in helping less fortunate children in the local area,” said Lippert.
Faculty member Michele Everett coordinated the University College effort, helping CCU student peer leaders coordinate the 165 FYE students who participated. FYE is designed as a learning environment that enables first-year students to develop creative and critical thinking skills, information literacy, and the personal and social skills needed to facilitate a successful transition from high school to university.
Tabby Shelton '99, director of Fostering Hope, was thrilled.
“We were overwhelmed when we saw the many items the students were able to procure, and it was obvious that the students were excited about the project,” she said. “I love the creativity of the various items we received and look forward to sharing these selections with our teens this Christmas.”
Cara Lynn Scheuer, assistant professor of management and coordinator of the Wall College project, said this was the second year the Wall College has participated in this event. Students more than tripled the amount raised last year, and one student team raised more than $18,000 for the nonprofit.
The students gathered hygiene products, clothing and toys to be placed into care packages for the children, along with sports gear, electronics, schools supplies, gift certificates and more. All items were placed inside Wall College of Business backpacks and will be distributed through Fostering Hope this December.
To add a competition element to the project, the teams of four to eight students that raised the most money, showed the most creativity and had the highest quality supplies received an award at the wrap-up event on Nov. 13. Lauren Grace, Rachel Harding, Shanon Hausler, Jamie Jacobs, Kacie Jazikof and Joseph McAdams of Team 34 led by Noah Breeden had the highest donation amount. They raised a whopping $18,150.
“The key to our group raising over $18,000 was that we all challenged each other to think creatively,” said Breeden. “Everybody knew what they were capable of and supported one another in our efforts of reaching our goal.”
Jonathan Dela Cruz, Shane Evans, Ariel Falk, Leanne Faust, Hunter Holley and Dakota Hudgins of Team 13 led by Emily Graham won the most creative award. Team 52, led by Lindsey Rowe and comprised of Christian Hannon, Sean Morris, Daron Oliver, Rhiya Patel, Damian Sherrill, Nicholas Snow Sowers and Holly Waryas, received the highest quality supplies award.
In addition to the group awards, Kilton Anderson received an individual award for leadership excellence. Trevor Greene and Peter Lebmann were the runners-up to Anderson.
Each student team created a personalized list of items they wanted to put inside their child’s backpack according to gender and age demographics. The items varied from leisure items to school supplies and hygiene products.
“We believed that compiling a bag full of sentimental items from our lives would mean a lot and impact the life of a foster child,” said management student and team leader Mike Heim. “At such a crucial time in one’s maturing years, something so simple can deeply impact the decisions a person makes.”
Shelton founded Fostering Hope in 2004 to provide necessities to children who have faced traumatic life events and to let them know the community cares about them. The organization serves children who have lost their homes in fires or other disasters; children placed with relatives because of abuse or neglect; and those referred by other local partner agencies.
