Holland College tourism students learn to give back

Giving back to the communityhas become a part of the work in Holland College's Travel and Tourism Management class.

InstructorJennifer Lawton says students whospecialize in events coordination learn how to plan an event from start to finish with a focus on fundraising for local non-profits.

"That is where theystart planning an event, in their first semester of their second year, that carries over into the second semester," she said.

Students do all the pre-planning including brainstorming, budgeting and how to evaluate the event.

Over the past few years, classes have been able to raise thousands of dollars for local charities.

Lawton says thestudents work in small groups toorganize fundraising events for an assigned non-profit or community group.

"This is a great way for the students to learn the importance of giving back to the community in which they live in and also, what a great way for them to learn how to plan an event from start to finish."

Lawton said the students get a real hands-on experience as a result and learn to work with clients one on one.

Student Courtney Poirier was in a group that helped organize a fundraiser called 'A Fatal Fairytale', a murder mystery gala dinner for the P.E.I. ArthritisSociety.

"Basically we had anybody come dressed as any fairytale character they wanted...it was a lot of fun," she said.

Poiriersaid the money they raised was used to help children with juvenile arthritis.

"It was really cool to put on a successful event and at the end of the day say my group and I were able to raise $800."

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS |Wanted: female Gaelic football players for Island team
• MORE P.E.I. NEWS | Doctors should be talking to parents about firearms, says Canadian Paediatric Society