Service-learning course raises $500 for local organization

The sport and event management class hosted a fundraising event benefiting Helping Other People Eat – or H.O.P.E. – a nonprofit organization fighting hunger in Alamance County.

Following their October casino event benefiting Helping Other People Eat, members of Elon University’s “Event Management” class presented a $500 check to Amy Rauch ’19 (center), H.O.P.E.’s social media manager. Photo courtesy of Hal Walker

Students in Elon University’s “Event Management” class, a service-learning course offered by the Department of Sport and Event Management, organized the third annual Casino Luau, raising $500 for Helping Other People Eat – or H.O.P.E. The nonprofit organization combats hunger by providing sustainable financial support for local food pantries in Alamance County.

Since 2002, the course and its students have organized events raising more than $52,000, according to Hal Walker, associate professor and chair of the SEM Department. The class has supported a wide variety of local causes and organizations while students learn about event management, leadership and the importance of civic engagement.

This fall’s event was held as part of the 67th annual North Carolina Association for Athletics, Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Dance & Sport Management (NCAAHPERD-SM) convention on Oct. 29 in Winston-Salem. The class participants recruited approximately 30 volunteers and arranged for an Elon Bio Bus to provide transportation to and from campus.

To view a promotional video Jane Humphrey ’17 created for the casino event, visit the School of Communications’ YouTube channel.

The following businesses and organizations supported the fundraiser: Pandora’s Pies, The Fat Frogg Bar and Grill, All That JAS, The Oak House, Target, Harris Teeter, Hallmark, Yankee Candle, Walgreens, Starbucks, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Dunkin’ Donuts, Sonic, Brixx Wood Fired Pizza, The Root, Smitty’s Homemade Ice Cream and Elon Athletics.

Posted in: Student Experience