May 7, 2010

BCU Fundraiser for Guatemala Home Building Project

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The social work and Spanish departments at Briar Cliff University and Cold Stone Creamery in Sioux City are co-sponsoring a fundraiser to build a home for a needy Guatemalan family.  From 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11, Cold Stone Creamery will donate 25 percent of sales toward construction of the home.

The building project is a component of Briar Cliff’s Guatemala Service Learning Course, which BCU students Amanda Furness and Kay Ross will complete in May, when they travel to the Central American country to help with construction of the house.

“This fundraiser will provide a Guatemalan family a house with cement floors, rather than parasite-infested dirt floors,” explained Heather Craig-Oldsen, chairperson and associate professor of social work at Briar Cliff. “For the first time, this family will have a sturdy roof, as well as windows and doors that actually open and close.”

While in Guatemala, the Briar Cliff students also will assist at a children’s malnutrition center, a homeless shelter and a school.  

Enrollment at Briar Cliff University is over 1,100 students from 28 states. Students are educated in the Franciscan tradition of excellence in the liberal arts and career preparation in an environment of care, compassion and openness to all. For more information, please visit www.briarcliff.edu.

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