Babson College Students Take on Multiple Sclerosis
A group of freshman from the Babson College Foundations of Management and Entrepreneurship course created a business, produced, marketed and sold products and donated the profits to the Greater New England Chapter of the National MS Society. And that’s not all. Some of those same students participated as walkers at the 2010 Walk MS in Boston on April 11, while others volunteered at the Walk by helping at the registration table as greeters, setting up lunch and cheering at the finish line, and it doesn’t stop there! Another group of Babson undergraduates spent a Saturday afternoon making phone calls to past Walk MS participants, providing information about the 2010 Walks and registering those who wished to participate.
The students, led by Emma Locke from Boxford, MA were wonderfully organized and great to work with. Emma was referred to by her fellow students as the VP of Community Service and had help from two other students managing the project. In total there were 28 students involved in this activity.
Their product, EZ-Wash Bags, were created with college students in mind. The bags are mesh and act as a hamper. Once full, they entire bag can be loaded into a washing machine and dryer without losing so much as a sock. Each student employee of the business had a quota of one bag sale per week, and in total 444 bags were sold, netting a profit of $706.20 which the students then donated to the Chapter.
While most of the students participating in the project don’t have a personal connection to someone with MS, Emma does. Her grandfather lived with MS for many years and Emma remembers visiting him at the nursing home. She would stay and play her violin for him. At first, he was able to get himself into his wheelchair and listen, but eventually lost his ability to get up from bed. Emma lost her grandfather two years ago, so for her the cause really hit home.
As a result of this project her fellow students learned a great deal about MS. As a group they felt MS is a disease that is overlooked and feel it is important for the MS Society to continue to hold the fundraising walks and to spread awareness of multiple sclerosis. We thank the students for their generosity and support and look forward to the possibility of working together again!