"Service learning" is a theory that one Lycoming College professor believes in, and area non-profit organizations reaped the benefits.
Dr. Neil Boyd, a Lycoming College marketing professor, had students reach out to the non-profit community and host fundraisers to help the organizations raise money.
"What we're trying to do is engage in a process called service learning," Boyd said.
Service-learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities, according to www.servicelearning.org.
The students divided into groups, came up with a name for their "consulting" business and helped the organizations raise much-needed money to help the community.
The six members of Keystone Consulting, were clad in accents of red to show their support of the Red Cross, the non-profit organization with which it choose to work.
The group raised the money in two different ways - by "painting the strip red" and by "dorm storming."
The six conceived the "painting the strip red" fundraiser, which raised money from restaurants on the Golden Strip when people patronized the restaurants on certain days and presented tickets to allocate a portion of their bill to the Northcentral Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross.
The restaurants that participated were Pizza Hut, Hoss's, Bonanza and TGI Friday's.
The group spent time making 700 packets of tickets and handed them out to Red Cross Board members, Lycoming College students and various other people.
The group raised about $120 through the endeavor but were a little disappointed by the endeavor so it came up with another idea called "Dorm Storming."
Through this fundraiser which consisted of group members soliciting donations through the Lycoming College dorms, raised more than $300 for the organization.
On Friday morning, the group presented their check to Joy Hanner, executive director of the American Red Cross.
"I've been sitting back here feeling like you guys are my kids," Hanner said. "I am just bursting with pride at the seems."
Constructive Consulting, an other group from Boyd's class, worked with the Lycoming Animal Protection Society Inc.
The group developed numerous marketing pieces for LAPS, including a new brochure, mission statement, logo and event informational tri-fold.
In addition, they coordinated "A Night For Paws," which included a basket raffle that raised about $500 for the shelter.
"I am so proud of them," Tracy Haas, representative from LAPS, said. "They truly showed what is was like to overcome obstacles and I am so proud."
Below Zero consulting group worked with the Strike K-9, an organization that trains search dogs. The group ended up raising about $500 for the organization by having a Christmas Lingerie show at The Lodge.
One member of the group said it was difficult to pick a fundraiser that would work, as they tried several that weren't very successful.
But the lingerie show did manage to raise about $500 in less than three hours.
Another group, Dream Big Consulting worked with Michael and Keiko Pilato to raise money for the Public Art Academy that Pilato is trying to get off the ground.
The Pilatos arranged for jazz singer Lisa Simone to perform at the Community Arts Center, and the students marketed the show and raised about $2,500 for the academy.
Another group worked with the Lycoming College Business Department to help develop a more eye-catching Web site including videos and encourage potential students to choose Lycoming College.
Boyd said that he hopes the students will consider working with non-profit organizations or donating their time to non-profit organizations in the future.
