MBA class raises $10K for Right To Play with help from Olympian Perdita Felicien

Teamwork and return on investment are concepts Queen’s full-time MBA students understand all too well. When the Class of 2013 was looking for a charity to support, its members employed some of the methods they learned in the program to select Right To Play as its charity of choice.

“Right To Play was a great fit,” explains Mitch Gudgeon, the initiative’s head chair. “Its focus on teamwork, sports and play aligns with the Queen’s MBA team-based approach. We were also impressed with Right To Play’s low administration costs.”

With the due diligence phase complete, a 17-member organizing committee kicked into action. First up was a combo Kingston Frontenacs hockey game and disco skating night that raised $1,200 and brought out 120 students, faculty and staff. A Feb. 9 gala at a local hotel featured Perdita Felicien (pictured), a Canadian Olympian and world champion hurdler who gave a powerful speech that brought the crowd of 130 to its feet. “Your darkest hour does not define you: Rebuild!” and “Surround yourself with excellence” were just two of her inspirational messages.

A silent auction raised nearly $2,000, bringing the overall total to $10,000 to benefit Right To Play. Sponsors and donors included Continental Corp, Molson Canadian, Gananoque Brewing Co., Pelee Island Winery, the Kingston Frontenacs and Vineland Estates Winery.

The class hopes that this initiative will become a legacy project that future MBA classes will adopt.