A Communications class at Santa Clara University was given a challenging assignment. Select a local non-profit organization, partner with them, and launch a program to raise awareness and funds to support their cause. St. Vincent de Paul, who has been providing outreach support for the needy in Santa Clara County since 1946, and has a mission on campus where students who refer to themselves as “The Vinnies” and “The Nightriders”, was selected because of their long history of helping the needy in Santa Clara County and our well established presence at SCU.
The team, which consisted of 4 students, contacted SVdP to share their vision and gain a better understanding of the SVdP Society. Their strategy was to bring awareness of SVdP to the SCU students through a campus wide Fun Sock Fundraiser. They leveraged Facebook, started an Instagram page, and promoted the event on KSCU College Radio and the local College newsletter. And to ensure the students walked away with an understanding of what SVdP does for the community, they inserted a flyer into each pair of socks! When the event was over they sold more than 100 pairs of socks and delivered the proceeds to SVdP to be used in helping us help others. SVdP treasures our young volunteers as they represent the future of continuing our mission of compassion and care. Dora Hyson, VP for SVdP said “The students of SCU have been a blessing to the society and the efforts the students put forth were innovative, rewarding, and inspiring. If the instructor is reading this, give them an “A” for knocking this one out of the park!”
Pictured: Dora Hyson (SVdP), Hannah Hawkins, Tucker Smith, Nicole Fite, and Eric Peters.