Three teams of students from Southern Regional Technical College, under the direction of Business Management Program Chair Neil Clements, are collaborating with local organizations as they learn about the importance of community involvement and teamwork in projects.  The Team Project course is designed to inculcate future business leaders on the realities and rewards of successful project management.  The course is unique in that each semester, students form teams to initiate and complete real-world projects to benefit local charitable organizations. Mr. Clements explains “the course is a capstone business class. By the time our Business students enroll in this course, they have learned a great deal about the world of business, in theory. The Team Project course is their opportunity to put much of what they have learned into practice. Teamwork, planning, budgeting, ethics, and marketing skills are needed to pull off a successful project in less than 16 weeks. I am always so impressed by what these students accomplish!” 

On Saturday November 10^th, students will host a fund-raising event at the Thomasville Exchange Club Fairgrounds entitled Vet Fest to benefit Dog Tag Support System of Cairo. Vet Fest is a family-friendly event that will take place from noon until 6:00PM. Live music will be provided by bands throughout the day. Activities include a bike show, bounce houses, face painting, and balloon art. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. “The event is guaranteed to put a smile on your face and fulfillment in your heart as you help many area residents!” commented student Tammy Barber.

Dog Tag Support System began in 2014 with a mission to support local area veterans and their families with a variety of needs. Their motto is: “Heroes Don’t Wear Capes, They Wear Dog Tags”. Southwest Georgia has an estimated 50-100 homeless veterans. The organization provides permanent, affordable housing for presently homeless veterans along with food, clothing, and benefits assistance to area veterans.

On Saturday November 17^th, SRTC students will host a festival to benefit The Treehouse Children’s Advocacy Center in Thomasville. This event will be held on SRTC’s Thomasville campus. The student-lead festival will feature corn hole tournaments, face painting, raffle tickets for prizes plus many more kids’ activities and games. The entire community is invited to attend.  

The Treehouse is a support agency that assists child abuse victims and sexual assault survivors. Since 2011, the agency has provided highly specialized crisis and follow-up care for alleged child abuse victims and sexual assault survivors. Compassionate employees partner with local law enforcement, child protection services and the judicial system to provide year-round support and forensic services for each child abuse or sexual assault case. In 2018, the agency has served more than 100 children.

The final student project will provide residents of Southern Pines Senior Living with new raised garden boxes. Supplies and labor were donated to make this project possible, and students will work together to complete the boxes. The finished garden boxes will be presented to the Southern Pines residents in mid-November.

Southern Pines Senior Living is a residential senior living community. The community features beautiful areas for residents to enjoy. Leisure activities such as gardening elevate cognitive functions and the aromatic fragrances in flowers enhance the experience for the residents. Raised garden boxes will enable residents to safely care for fragrant blooms and tasty vegetables.