Fundraiser will benefit Project Jamaica

Grand Valley is hosting a fundraiser to raise money for Project Jamaica, a service project conducted by students in the higher education graduate program.

From 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, March 22, LiaRose Boutique and Gina’s Boutique in downtown Grand Rapids will donate 15 percent of their proceeds to the Grand Valley University Foundation to support Project Jamaica. Email [email protected] to RSVP.

In May, a group of students and faculty and staff members will study abroad at the University of West Indies in Jamaica and will work to renovate the Seaview Primary School in St. Elizabeth Parish. Grand Valley will team up with the University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse and Boise State University to renovate a building that will house a pre-school and life skills education area called the “Center for Excellence.” All donations from the fundraiser will support construction and renovation costs.

The project is part of the class “Jamaican Culture and Education,” which includes a faculty-led study abroad experience. In early March, Kate DeGraaf, Student Life graduate assistant, Michelle Burke, director of Student Life and Jay Cooper, professor in the College of Education, visited the school to coordinate renovation plans.