Students at Regis College recently hosted an on-campus awareness and volunteer recruitment event recently for Bikes Not Bombs, a 501c(3) non-profit organization based in Jamaica Plain. Students in the Introduction to Public Relations class arranged for Bikes Not Bombs to bring in a stationary blender bike that students could ride and make a free smoothie if they agreed to volunteer for the organization, share the information on social media or donate in some form (funds, bike parts or a used bike).
On November 18, more than 100 students attended the event and learned about Bikes Not Bombs' commitment to using bicycles as a vehicle for social change. Students learned how the non-profit uses bicycles to initiate opportunities for employment, scholarships, mentorship among youth and community members in the Boston area, as well as in developing nations. Attendees received information regarding how Bikes Not Bombs uses bicycles as a source for increased mobility, creating employment, providing an emissions-free alternative energy source and for policy and infrastructure changes. Twenty students also signed up to volunteer for Bikes Not Bombs, which hosts Thursday Volunteer Nights from 7 to 10 pm at their Jamaica Plain location at 284 Amory St.
Kirsten Whitten, of Regis' Communication Department spoke about the students' class, Introduction to Public Relations is a Global Business Management & Communication class in the School of Arts & Sciences at Regis College.
“The goal of this core class is to have students take on a non-profit organization as a community service project for the semester,” said Whitten. “This combination of theory and practice builds an understanding of core competencies while fostering the importance of community service in building an esteemed career in public relations. This not only helps the non-profit meet some of its needs with vibrant energy and fresh ideas, but also allows students to obtain real PR samples and placements that help build their resumes and portfolios.”