CHECK IT OUT. Students in an advanced sales class at UW-Eau Claire recently raised more than $57,000 for the L.E. Phillips Career Development Center. (Submitted photo)

Advanced sales classes in the UW-Eau Claire’s College of Business have become synonymous with philanthropy and community engagement over the past 15 years, raising more than $700,000 for the L.E. Phillips Career Development Center.

Every year, CDC in Eau Claire provides vocational services and employment opportunities to nearly 1,500 individuals with disabilities or disadvantages in eight western Wisconsin counties.

Blugolds in the advanced sales classes have dedicated themselves to fundraising for CDC since 2009. This year, the two classes surpassed their fundraising goal and set a record by raising more than $57,000 in golf sponsorships and items to auction for the 35th annual CDC Charity Golf Outing on Aug. 2 at Hickory Hills Golf Course.

“This enduring commitment to service exemplifies the university’s core values and its mission to empower students to become responsible global citizens,” says Dr. Lenita Davis, professor of marketing and supply chain management and executive director of the professional sales program.

Students sold sponsorships, solicited donations for the auction table, and sold raffle tickets. In addition to raising funds for CDC, the activities fostered valuable skills in prospecting, cold calling, and other sales techniques among the students, Davis says.

Workers in the packaging department at the L.E. Phillips Career Development Center. (Photo via Facebook)

“We are immensely proud of our students for their exceptional dedication and hard work in organizing this year’s L.E. Phillips CDC Golf Tournament,” Davis says. “Their commitment to making a positive impact in our community is truly commendable, and we are thrilled to see their efforts culminate in such a significant contribution to the L.E. Phillips CDC.”

Gregg Mizerk, president of the L.E. Phillips CDC, says the golf outing is the center’s cornerstone fundraiser each year and its largest fundraising event. Without the effort of many Blugolds over the past 15 years, the facility may not have been able to serve qualified individuals, Mizerk says.

“By having these funds, we can help individuals that might not have any place else to turn,” Mizerk says.

The COB class also promotes awareness of the L.E. Phillips CDC to those in the community who are unaware of the products that clients produce and the services the organization provides. In a typical week, CDC ships 15 semi loads of completed work to customers, Mizerk says.

“The students act as an extension of our small sales and marketing staff in spreading the word of how we fit in our community,” Mizerk says.

Ryan Mansfield, a marketing major from River Falls who graduated May 18, says he worked with adults with special needs during his four years at UW-Eau Claire and was motivated to sell sponsorships to support CDC.

“I think it’s wonderful to be able to learn sales skills while simultaneously helping an organization that does so much for the adults with special needs in the community,” Mansfield says. “Sales is all about helping others, and it's a great way to change the narrative from what some preconceived notions are about the sales world.”

For more information about the COB sales program, contact Dr. Lenita Davis at 706-255-4800 or davislen@uwec.edu.