Students in the Event Management program at Humber Lakeshore are preparing for their '70s themed capstone project.
It’s the time of year for students in the Event Management program at Humber Lakeshore to start finalizing preparations for their end-of-year capstone projects.
Nicole Falconi, one of the student organizers, is dusting off her rollerblades and peace signs in order to “Groove and Give” at her group’s ’70s-themed fundraiser next week.
“It’s taken a long time to plan everything but I know it’s going to be worth it once we see everyone having fun,” Falconi said.
Falconi’s group is hosting the Groove and Give, a ’70s disco fundraiser as their final capstone project for the program.
The event is taking place at Scooter’s Roller Palace in Mississauga on Wednesday, April 5 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Guests are able to purchase tickets online or at the door, which grants them access to the event, and covers the rental fee for the rollerblades.
The student organizers are encouraging guests to bring their grooviest ‘70s outfits along with their best moves.
Gina Iozzo, one of the student organizers, said the night will be filled with plenty of fun activities for guests to enjoy.
“Besides roller skating, guests will be able to take part in our ‘Best Moves’ and ‘Best Dressed’ competitions,” she said. “There will also be a DIY photo booth, a retro snack bar, free popcorn, and a huge gift raffle.”
All funds raised through ticket sales and the gift raffle will be donated to both Humber’s Event Management Scholarship Fund, and the Adam Fanaki Brain Fund.
Started in February 2020, the Adam Fanaki Brain Fund was created by the Fanaki family in his honour. He passed away from Glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, in February of 2020.
Fanaki’s wife Janet said after her husband died, she and her children, Isobel and Sam, were inspired to help other families with a loved one battling brain cancer.
“We feel very blessed to have been in the situation that we were in, but many people struggle financially,” she said. “We want to help them with parking fees, transportation costs to and from appointments, and meals for the family.”
Since its beginning, the Adam Fanaki Brain Fund has raised more than $240,000 that has been donated to different hospitals and charities, such as the Sunnybrook Foundation’s Odette Cancer Program.
“Partnering up with places like Sunnybrook has really helped up in terms of having a purpose,” Fanaki said. “It helped us move forward.”
Falconi said it was an easy decision to make to work with Janet and her family to raise money for the Adam Fanaki Brain Fund.
“Cancer doesn’t discriminate, it can happen to anyone,” she said. “It’s an important cause to help out.”
Iozzo said she’s been inspired by the way Janet has turned a tragic event into something that can help others.
“She [Janet Fanaki] has a podcast called Resilient People, and it’s just inspiring how she’s managed moving forward,” Iozzo said. “She’s done it with grace.”
Both Falconi and Iozzo said they’re grateful the project has provided them with the opportunity to meet people like Janet, who they can reach out to once they’re in the workplace.
Event Management professor Jim Stone said the capstone project gives his students the hands-on experience that will be required of them once they leave Humber.
“The students go from concept development all the way through to execution,” Stone said. “It gives industry experience and connection because they’re forced to reach out, build connections, talk to venues, vendors, suppliers, photographers.
“They’re doing exactly what they’d be doing in the industry,” he said.
Falconi, Iozzo and the rest of their team are looking forward to seeing guests enjoy the event.
“We want to see people enjoy themselves, have a kick out of each other’s outfits, and be able to do some good out there,” Iozzo said.
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