What started out as a required class project turned into a labor of love for members of Ramona Clower's Human Relations class at Arkansas Northeastern College.
Clower gives the student very little to go on.
"Students choose their own class project," she said. "They develop the idea, implement it and then do either a scrapbook or PowerPoint presentation at the end of the semester. They do all the work."
The project, which lasts all semester, is required in addition to book work and tests. The project counts for 40 percent of the student's grade in the course.
The class chose to raise funds to purchase new coats for deserving children. So far, Coats for Kids has raised $2,237, enough to purchase about 100 coats.
But the group is still hoping to raise more so more coats can be purchased.
A local retailer has found a discounted price on brand-new coats for the project, which will then be distributed by a reputable third party so that the children won't be singled out and ridiculed.
"When we started this project, we said we'd get coats. But then the students decided that these children deserved new coats," Clower said. "No one wants an old coat."
In addition to cash donations, the class has taken donations of items that were raffled off during the United Way Championship Chili Cook-off.
They have also hosted car washes and other fundraising activities.
The students were appreciative to all the local retailers who contributed items and services for the project.
Even retailers and individuals from other parts of the county and region donated to the project.
The hardest part of the project, the students said, was staying motivated to work throughout the semester.
The best part of the project, the students said, was learning to work together.
"It was fun going out with classmates and getting donations and working on projects to raise money," one student said.
Clower said this group came together in a way that few groups of strangers do.
"It amazed me how the whole class communicated with each other," Clower said.
"It's a nice thing that they got to know each other and will know each other for the rest of their lives," she said. "I'm very pleased with them."
Members of the class are Terrance Blackburn, Samantha Blocker, Matthew Chancery, Latoya Choctaw, Joshua Cooke, Michael Evans, Rodney Fulkerson, Keri Henderson, April Hise, Codie Osborn, Michael Prestidge, Kimberly Pruitt, Greg Robinson, James Rowell, Okneco Stitts, Christopher Tomlin, Ethel Wilson, Oscar Woods, Done Yarbrough and Jana Zills.
dhilton@blythevillecourier.com