A Habitat for Humanity Saskatoon Volunteer takes the first plunge of the day during the Chillin' for Charity event.

Edwards students challenge Dean to take the Chillin' for Charity plunge

With the first snowfall of the year out of the way and weather predicted to be in the minus, 46 brave Edwards students will host their annual Chillin' for Charity event Thursday at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S).

The students are part of the Edwards JDC West Team competing in an undergraduate business student competition called JDC West. Known as the largest business competition in Western Canada, JDC West brings students together from 12 Canadian universities to apply course learnings and compete in academics, athletics, debate, and a social event.

A big focus of the competition is community involvement, with each competing school encouraged to complete as many charity hours as possible and raise money for six chosen charitable organizations.

This year the Edwards School of Business JDC West Team committed their time to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity Saskatoon, the Royal University Hospital Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities Saskatchewan, the Friendship Inn, Junior Achievement, and Parkinson Canada.

As a competition-wide initiative, funds raised during this year’s Chillin' for Charity event will go to support Habitat for Humanity Saskatoon for the third year in a row.

Decked out in costumes, the Edwards JDC West team, along with other U of S student groups, will take turns leaping into a freezing pool of icy water in the Commerce loop on campus to raise money for Habitat for Humanity.

Dean Keith Willoughby takes the Chillin' for Charity plunge

“Chillin' for Charity is a truly amazing initiative that builds awareness and raises money for a charity right here in our own backyard,” said Ryan Nieman, one of the Edwards JDC West co-captains. “Working with Habitat for Humanity Saskatoon has opened my eyes to the need they have for donations to build homes for less fortunate families and make them feel apart of the Saskatoon community. By bringing together students, faculty, and businesses in Saskatoon for such a fun event we are able to lend a hand in making this all possible.”

The Edwards JDC West Team also challenged the dean of the Edwards School of Business at the U of S, Keith Willoughby, to participate in the event. In order to “Dunk the Dean”, the team and other U of S student groups had to raise $7,500 before the jump date. The students were successful in their fundraising goal and Dean Willoughby took the icy plunge at 11:30am. You can watch the full video here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BbAGvNQBLX-/?taken-by=edwards_school

“This is a fun way to help get more students involved in fundraising for our event,” said Meghan Johnson, vice–president of charity and organizing lead for this year’s event. “We are very fortunate to have the support of Dean Willoughby and the Edwards School of Business.”

Chillin' for Charity 2017 will run from 10:30am to 2:30pm on Thursday, November 2 in front of the Edwards School of Business.

For more information, please contact:

Meghan Johnson
Vice-President Charity, Edwards JDC West Team
25 Campus Drive
Edwards School of Business
University of Saskatchewan
edwardsjdc@gmail.com


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