Run/walk to benefit Boys and Girls Club

This summer, Intensive Core business students have been utilizing knowledge gained in their courses to create a fund-raising program that will help send young members of the Bloomington Boys and Girls Club to summer camp.\nThe "Little 5k 4 Kids," a 5K run/walk benefiting the non-profit organization, will take place Saturday at the IU cross-country course. The event is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.\nThe entry fee for the race is $10 in advance and $15 on race day.\nOne I-Core class, Strategic Management (J301), intends to develop analytical skills and form strategies based on a given situation. The professor of the current J301 class, David Rubenstein, suggested his class create some sort of project, and the students reacted with their plan that benefits young children hoping for a trip to summer camp.\nAfter listening to a speaker from the Boys and Girls club in class, the students formed the idea of the Little 5k 4 Kids as a fundraiser to ease the club's financial burden caused by a multitude of circumstances. The organization has been plagued by a $21,000 deficit in funding for its summer camp program.\nBoys and Girls Cub Director Joe Stebbins said the organization's financial need is growing each year. \n"The United Way was not able to raise as much this year, so we have less funding from them," Stebbins said. "The biggest cutback was due to the state budget. The childcare assistance funds have been cut back. We had extra money last year, but much less this year in scholarships for summer camp."\nThus, the group has become more dependent upon fund-raising events such as the Little 5k 4 Kids.\nRubenstein seemed very pleased with the class groups decision.\n"Every aspect was student-generated, he said. "It feels great to have students like these."\nThe 230 students donated $10 each to jump-start their infant event. That initial $2,300 dollars has gone far in supplying necessary items for the race such as shirts, water, EMT assistance and the rental of a cross-country course.\nThe original goal was to double the $2,300 in four weeks, and Rubenstein believes that target will be hit and eventually exceeded. \nFinancial accomplishments aside, undergraduates say they are learning from their experience in the Little 5k 4 Kids.\nJunior Erin Boyce has been actively involved in the program.\n"The class is about learning strategy and efficiency," Boyce said. "It's great to see how the students work together toward a goal. An interesting aspect of this whole process has been dealing with the upper-management of companies who have donated money."\nRubenstein said that events like Little 5k 4 Kids will not only occur in the future, but will also become a staple of the J301 course.\nFor more information about the Little 5k 4 Kids, or to make a donation, contact Erin Thompson at 812-336-1735 or send an e-mail to enthomps@indiana.edu.