Worcester Business Journal

www.wbjournal.com Worcester Business Journal Giving Guide 2022 9 countrybank.com A DIFFERENCE Made to make Country Bank was founded in 1850 for a single reason: to make a difference. In the lives of our customers. To the businesses we partner with. To the communities we serve. Whether you're opening a checking account, buying a home, or growing a business, find out how we can make a difference for you. It's what we were made to do. which involves workshops with a leadership/cultural focus, a summit, and on-campus leadership activities. She compares the program to "choose your own adventure." As part of the three-year program, students are required to do 24 hours of com - munity service, both on and off campus. "They can work with an organization, such as the Boys and Girls Club, or help out at the food pantry on campus," Gionfriddo said. "They also help with youth sports leagues, road races, Special Olympics, their churches at home, and community events, like the Dudley Strawberry festival." The Emerging Leaders Program, in existence for eight years, has evolved over time. "We want students to understand that leadership is not just one thing. It could be different experiences on campus versus off campus. You learn to hone your skills," said Gionfriddo. "Many students say this is something they would be doing anyway. The program gives them a framework. The program is what you make of it." Philanthropy is also a component of Nichols' sport management program, which examines all aspects of operating successfully in the sports industry. Christopher Streeter, PhD, assistant professor, Sport Management, designed his course in two sections. Students learn the components of sport management from staffing and community involvement logistics to finding sponsors, marketing, and an overview of the discipline during the first six weeks. "During the second half, students design a sport event for a community organi - zation," said Streeter. "At that point, the mindset shifts from 'me' to 'we.' They think about how they can raise money for the organization." Most recently, the 22 students in the course organized an event for 40 seven- to twelve-year-olds from the local Boys & Girls Club. The All-Star Sports Day fea - tured a frisbee toss, soccer and basketball shoot outs, football throw, relay race, 40-yard dash, obstacle course, and a volleyball game. "The students came up with the rules while keeping fun, safety, fair play, and community building in mind," Streeter said. "It's one thing to talk about what a sport event is in the classroom, but when you actually do it, the learning takes place and fun happens." Streeter noted that post-event the students were excited to have raised money for the Boys & Girls Club. "I could see their excitement as learning was taking place," he said. "I hope they take that excitement, gratitude, and compassion and continue to carry the message post-graduation. At the same time, they realized how challenging it is to fundraise for a good cause." Nichols' students have several other opportunities to give back. For Kevin Chetwynd '22, Relay for Life was a perfect fit. When he was a freshman, he want - ed to step out of his comfort zone and do something to make an impact on some- one else's life. Since both his grandparents had been diagnosed with cancer, this activity had great meaning for him, and Chetwynd became coordinator of the College's Relay for Life team. According to Chetwynd, the Relay for Life team conducted several fundraisers. For example, they cooked meals for cancer patients receiving treatment at Hope Lodge. They also held laser tag games and collected donations from the players. During "penny wars" students and faculty competed to see which side could raise the most in coins. During midterms and finals, the Relay team participated in "Midnight Munchie Madness," selling snacks and drinks to students as they studied for exams. "Suck for a Buck" offered to vacuum a student's room for a dollar. "These events were designed to spread awareness and raise money," said Chetwynd. "We had about 50 to 75 volunteers out of 1200 students. In five years, we raised between $50,000 and $75,000." He added that volunteers devoted more than 1,000 hours to the cause. In addition to his on-campus philanthropic activities, Chetwynd did a semester abroad during which he worked with a humanitarian relief organization whose goal was to help impoverished children around the world. He also helped raise more than $300,000 for an Irish non-profit organization. "These activities taught me where I want to be in the next several years," Chetwynd said. Whether part of a course requirement or an extra-curricular activity, Nichols encourages students to pursue community service projects and build leadership skills that focus on helping others. n

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