Students in Red Deer College’s Donald School of Business unit clerk program recently raised $2,380.25 during their Community Service Project, Care 4 A Cause.

During their studies, students in the unit clerk program have the opportunity for hands-on learning, and Red Deer Regional Health Foundation (RDRH) is one place where the RDC students gain valuable real-world experience. It was that connection with the work at the RDRH that prompted the students to give back.

“The Care 4 A Cause Fundraising project helped me develop my skills in leadership and team work with my classmates,” says Maria Agnes Porras, a student in the program. “The fundraising made me realize that there are people outside our community in need of financial help and the most effective way is to be a part of this project to raise necessary funds.”

Care 4 A Cause is a way unit clerk students serve the community each semester by raising funds for an organization in Central Alberta connected to their field of study. The students organize fundraising events, rally support and direct the raised funds to a cause that they choose together as a group.

“The fundraising project proved to test our professionalism, perseverance and determination to accomplish our goal to financially help our community,” notes Porras. “It’s a great opportunity to be a part of this project as this will become a model for the future students of the unit clerk program.”

Since November, the unit clerk program has raised more than $4,300 to support health care providers in Central Alberta.

“We’re thrilled to be able to support the work at RDRH and are grateful for this collaboration with the community,” says Brenda Stevenett, coordinator of the unit clerk program at RDC.

“Our students chose to direct the funds toward Unit 39, the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit and their ‘Move your Mood’ Program as well as the Comfort Care Cart operated out of Unit 32, which provides oncology and palliative care for families and terminally ill patients.”

-Weber