University of Manitoba business students have built toys for children and raised about $15,000 as part of two projects for Robert Warren’s New Venture Analysis course. For their final leg of their philanthropic projects, the fourth-year students will race in karts against each other on a local racetrack this afternoon.

“It’s literally a win-win situation for everyone,” says Warren, who is the I. H. Asper Executive Director for Entrepreneurship at the university’s Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship and had been leading the projects for seven years. “The students learn early on the value of business giving back to the community. And the children and youth benefit directly and almost immediately with a new toy, a chance to go to camp or with support from a charity.”

Students developed business plans and found investors for the kart race, including title sponsor Enterprise Rent-A-Car once again this year. About $15,000 of the funds will go to Curry BizCamp in Entrepreneurship, a popular summer camp of Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship where youth who might not otherwise pursue careers in entrepreneurship learn business principles.

After crossing the finish line at about 1:30 p.m., students will donate the stuffed toys they created to the Manitoba Moose Yearling Foundation, a charitable arm of the Manitoba Moose Hockey Club. In December, some students will join the hockey players as they hand over the toys at the Children’s Hospital of Winnipeg.

What: Asper School of Business students campaign for kids
Where: Speedworld Indoor Kart Track, 575 Berry Street, Winnipeg
Time: Today, Oct. 24, 2008 at 12:30 p.m.

For more information contact Professor Robert Warren, I. H. Asper Executive Director for Entrepreneurship, Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship, Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba at (204) 474-8422.