Students in the Grace College Entrepreneurship and Business Practicum class recently got a practical lesson in running a business while supporting a local not-for-profit organization.
The class decided to invest in Grace Village, and each member of the class contributed at least 10 hours, combining for more than 240 hours of total volunteer work. To fulfill the financial investment portion of the class, the class published and sold copies of a devotional written by members of the Grace faculty and donated the profits to Grace Village, the local retirement community that is a cooperating ministry in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. They invited President Katip to contribute to the evening’s festivities by playing the piano and mingling with the attendees.
“It is a student led class, so the students do all the work,” explained Katie Van Sloten, the class’ vice president of service. “Dr. Fawcett stepped back and let us run it, and we were able to choose a not-for-profit organization to invest in and volunteer at.”
On March 29, they celebrated with a party and presented the proceeds of their class project in the sum of $2,200 to Grace Village. Grace President Dr. Bill Katip was present at the event to play the piano and spend time with the students and seniors.
“It was a pleasure to see the results of these students’ hard work,” said Katip. “It was refreshing to see young Grace students using their newly learned business skills, energy, and passion to turn a great idea into reality and then getting to witness the positive outcome that blessed so many people. I was honored to be a part of it all.”
“[For the volunteer work] we did a lot of gardening…mowing lawns, yard work, baking cookies, playing bingo, and reading to the residents,” said Van Sloten. “I think it was the most work any of us ever had to put into a class, but I think it was worth it. Seeing everyone’s face when we gave them the check and were able to serve them was really big because everyone appreciated it so much.”