Students Raise $1,600 for Boreal Healthcare Foundation at Bake Sale

Students from the Business Management program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic successfully raised $1,600 for the Boreal Healthcare Foundation through a bake sale held on campus on November 1, 2023. The event, aptly named “Bake for a Cause,” transformed a standard class assignment into a meaningful community fundraiser.

This initiative was part of a project management course that tasked students with planning and executing a project with a fundraising goal. Project Manager Vikas Singh explained that the concept began early in the semester and required several months of preparation. “In the second semester of project management, we are required to raise at least $1,000 for any foundation. We chose to support the Boreal Healthcare Foundation,” Singh noted.

Planning for the bake sale began in September and involved significant coordination. Students had to secure permissions, find sponsors, and design the booth setup, which they found to be quite challenging. Singh expressed satisfaction with their results, stating they exceeded their original goal of $1,500 and contributed to the class’s collective target of $2,000.

Community Engagement and Student Experience

Instructor Nicole Galbraith highlighted how the fundraiser provided valuable experience for students in project management while also benefiting the local community. “The fundraiser is designed to help students work through the five process groups of project management,” she explained. “Instead of retaining the revenue, all proceeds are donated to a charity in Prince Albert.”

The participation from faculty exceeded expectations, with around 90 percent of staff purchasing items and many choosing to donate additional funds. “They donated double the amount they spent,” Singh remarked, emphasizing the community’s generous response.

Galbraith noted the professionalism displayed by the students, many of whom are international and new to Canada. “They showed responsibility when engaging with external stakeholders,” she said, expressing pride in their accomplishment.

Impact on Local Healthcare Initiatives

Attending the event was Andy Cohen, the Boreal Healthcare Foundation’s donor engagement and communications representative. He emphasized the long-term benefits such initiatives bring to healthcare in Prince Albert and surrounding areas. “The Boreal Healthcare Foundation has been investing in local healthcare for the last 40 years. Every little bit helps,” Cohen stated, reinforcing the importance of community involvement.

The funds raised will contribute towards the foundation’s ongoing campaigns, including the “Equip the Vic” campaign, aimed at enhancing local healthcare facilities. Cohen remarked that student engagement not only raises funds but also increases awareness of the foundation’s initiatives. “Fundraisers like this are getting us closer to the specialized healthcare services our community needs,” he added.

As the bake sale concluded, Singh reflected on the experience. “This was our first time organizing such an event in Canada. It was an amazing experience, and we learned so many things,” he shared, encapsulating the essence of the project’s educational value and community benefit.

Through their efforts, the students not only achieved their fundraising goals but also gained invaluable insights into project management and community service, embodying the spirit of collaboration and social responsibility.