FANS Society kicks fundraising up a notch
UPEI's Family and Nutritional Sciences (FANS) Society is committed to building a strong community, and this year was no different. The student group, which includes foods & nutrition, family science, child studies, and kinesiology students, was recently involved in a number of fundraising and awareness initiatives, which raised over $3,800.
Their monthly fundraising began in September, with a FANS team taking part in the annual CIBC Run for the Cure. The students had a coffee and muffin sale to raise funds and they also sought out sponsors. Despite poor weather conditions, the team was awarded the 'Post-Secondary Individual Challenge Award 2011' for being the top post-secondary fundraising team in PEI.
Samantha Smith, co-president of FANS, thanks the society for enhancing her overall experience at UPEI, 'FANS has succeeded in making real change on campus and in our community,' she said. 'In the process of fundraising and bringing about change, we have all gained so much in return.'
Throughout the month of October, FANS continued to raise funds for cancer research when they took part in the annual UPEI Relay for Life. The group picked apples from a local orchard and baked delicious apple treats as a way to raise extra money. FANS also had a student team registered in the PEI Relay for Life that took place in May, and was recognized as 'The Most Spirited Team.'
In the months of November and December, the society didn't slow down. They participated in The Kidney Foundation's 'Bowling for Research' fundraiser, where they were applauded for being the only student group to take part. For many years, FANS has been involved in providing gifts to needy families during the holiday season. Throughout the fall semester, FANS raised money by selling departmental clothing and other fundraising activities to provide gifts for the local family. FANS also partnered up with UPEI's Diversity Office in December, to aid in the cultural and religious celebrations of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. Members of the FANS team dedicated many hours to prepare 300 cookies-shortbread, Mandelbrot, and sesame cookies, to represent each respective celebration.
Currently, the FANS Society is selling cookbooks compiled with student and faculty recipes. Profits from cookbook sales will be used to support the Canadian Council for the Blind and next year's Christmas family fundraiser. In March, FANS will participate in 'Nutrition Month,' where they will inform the campus community on healthy eating. The society also puts on weekly yoga sessions, and the drop-in donations are used to support a student attending the annual Dietitians of Canada national conference.
'We're so pleased to see the FANS Society take such initiative in helping out these great causes,' said Kathy Gottschall-Pass, Professor and Chair of the Department of Applied Human Sciences. 'It's students like them who make the university and its community a better place.'
