Eau Claire High entrepreneurship class donates $5500 to Ronald McDonald House Charities

Taryn Tyler’s entrepreneurship class at Eau Claire High School, one of 10 participants statewide in the Junior Achievement and South Carolina’s Youth Philanthropy Partnership, presented a check for $5,500 to Ann Ackerman, executive director of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Columbia, recently. Rhonda Hughey, Junior Achievement volunteer at Eau Claire, made the presentation.

As part of the class, the students established a business, Annual Treasures. They sold stock, developed, marketed and sold a product - personalized 11x17 glossy calendars with a pen attached - while learning the importance of philanthropy, community involvement and corporate citizenship.

The students’ product was profitable, and an anonymous sponsor, who previously had agreed to do so, matched the profit, 10 to1. "This was quite a learning experience for all of us,"said Tyler.

"After our initial investment in supplies, we didn’t expect to make a profit, but our product took off. The students and staff at Eau Claire really supported us. We’re looking forward to having a banner year next school term."

The class contacted 10 non-profit community organizations to make presentations on how each would use the money if selected as the recipient. The students were so impressed with Ackerman’s presentation, they readily agreed to donate their entire amount to Ronald McDonald House Charities and have signed up as volunteers.