The Education Foundation of Niagara has been selected as the next recipient of Niagara College’s Many Hands Project.
The annual project, now in its 23rd year, is the hallmark of Niagara College’s Event Management (graduate certificate) program, which provides resources for much-needed programming to a different Niagara-based non-profit organization each year. Event Management students support a local community non-profit organization with fundraising, marketing and public awareness of the agency.
“We are proud to support the Education Foundation of Niagara through this year’s Many Hands Project which will give our students an opportunity to help students within our community,” said Damian Goulbourne, associate dean of NC’s School of Hospitality, Tourism and Sport. “Funds raised from this year’s Many Hands Project events will help young students pursue their studies and enrich their lives through education, and we are confident that this will have a long-term effect on enhancing our community in a positive and meaningful way.”
“We are incredibly grateful that students from the Many Hands Project have recognized and valued the work we are doing here at our foundation,” said Laura Byers, executive director of the Education Foundation of Niagara. “Support from the Many Hands Project demonstrates true leadership, and is a powerful role model of students giving back. Students that understand that investing in young students’ lives supports the success of future Niagara College students and the future prosperity of Niagara.”
As part of their studies throughout the 2019-2020 academic year, NC’s Event Management students will plan, manage and host three unique fundraising events to support the Education Foundation of Niagara. Events will include a Las Vegas-themed night, pop-culture trivia and burger festival.
“The Many Hands Project is an excellent example of experiential learning infused into the classroom,” said Christine Blane, NC professor and Event Management program coordinator. “Throughout the Project’s history, we have been able to help so many agencies across Niagara – from food banks and women’s shelters to building a rehabilitation space or investing in mental health resources – and we look forward to what our students will be able to achieve this year.”
Byers spoke of the impact the Many Hands Project is expected to have on the Education Foundation of Niagara.
“There is a widening gap between what we can afford to do and need to do and, as a result, the Many Hands Project support will ensure our students have access to all of the enriching opportunities a post-secondary education at Niagara College has to offer,” Byers said. “This project will change the trajectory of many students’ lives and we look forward to supporting the Many Hands Project in their events throughout the year.”
The recipient selection follows a process which began in June when the College announced it was accepting applications for its 2019-2020 Many Hands Project.
The last recipient of the College’s 2018-2019 Many Hands Project was Pathstone Mental Health. Earlier this year, Event Management students raised more than $40,800 for Pathstone – $35,858 was raised by hosting a series of fundraising events, while $5,000 was donated by Canadian Tire Bank, a long-time sponsor and supporter of the Many Hands Project.
For more information about the Many Hands Project, visit niagaracollege.ca/manyhands.
The Education Foundation of Niagara is a registered charity whose mission is to support District School Board of Niagara students by engaging the community to provide needed funds and resources where government funding is not available. With support from its donors, it is able to address student financial and medical needs and provide student bursaries that are designed to assist academically qualified students requiring financial assistance. Donations made in the form of student bursaries help open up doors for students looking to pursue post-secondary education and break down the financial barriers. Visit efnniagara.dsbn.org/
