Wellesley, MA -- Babson College's 400+ freshmen, running 14 student businesses, raised a record $62,500 in profits, which were then donated to area charities.

Charities included local chapters of the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, Association for Retarded Citizens, March of Dimes, and Special Olympics, as well as Cradles to Crayons and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

The undergrad student businesses were part of Babson's Foundation Management Experience, a two-semester required course for all entering freshmen. Student teams began working in September to develop business plans, which they then presented before a faculty "venture" group. The fourteen selected businesses began operating in January, sold their products/services through the winter and spring, and presented year-end financial reports at the semester's end.

"The Babson first-year business program gives all entering students a real-life learning experience about teamwork, problem-solving, and the importance of community service in their business lives," said Robert Major, Babson academic services associate dean. In addition to donating profits, Babson first-year students also performed volunteer work for their selected charity.

Babson First-Year Student Businesses/Charity

AdverMaps promoted area businesses via unique maps of the town where the businesses were located.

Charity: Dana Farber Cancer Institute

BaboBands sold customized silicone wristbands to the Babson community and customized bands for businesses and other educational institutions.

Charity: March of Dimes, Massachusetts chapter

Babson Promos specialized in mass distribution of personalized promotional products to large and small corporations.

Charity: ALS Therapy Development Foundation

Band-Ed Marketing provided customers with the high-quality wristbands, uniquely customized to promote their organization or cause.

Charities: Special Olympics of Massachusetts, Rhode Island Coalition, and Roxbury-Weston Programs, Inc.

Bands of Champions sold quality, customizable silicone wristbands to companies and organizations seeking creative ways to increase awareness of their cause or company.

Charity: Friends of the Homeless of the South Shore

Bobblin' Memories specialized in capturing memories through a customized bobble head of the Babson College mascot, the Beaver. They were available to high schools and organizations interested in personalizing a bobble head for their institution.

Charity: Boys and Girls Club of Charlestown

The Bolo Company sold casual wear, polos, hats and accessories with the Bolo Beaver insignia to the Babson community.

Charity: First National Headquarters

Campusjumpoff.com was a Web site that connected college students to activities and events going on at other Boston-area campuses. They offered advertising spots to companies that market to the college-age segment.

Charity: Boys and Girls Club of Roxbury

Greenback Card Company sold customized playing cards with a Babson theme. The back of each card had the Babson logo incorporated into a dollar bill. The front had a picture of faculty, student organizations, athletic teams or campus buildings.

Charity: YMCA Charles River Branch, Needham

4Head Designs was a hat retailer selling screen-printed trucker hats, embroidered beanies and embroidered flex -fit hats. The hats were Babson branded and were available on a customized basis for organizations, high schools, and other colleges.

Charity: Cradles to Crayons

HotnightBoston.com was a Web site for the Boston-area college community with centralized information on nightlife and college events. Restaurants, clubs, and area colleges paid a small fee to be included on the site, and received a customized, frequently updated page featuring their event.

Charity: Junior Achievement

Mysports sold Babson branded sports equipment including: golf balls, plastic discs, stress balls and ping pong balls. Products were available for customization in bulk to businesses and corporations.

Charity: Charles River ARC

Paro Tee's provides t-shirts to the Babson College community. The t-shirts were parodies of popular labels and with commonly known stereotypes of Babson College.

Charity: Citizens Schools

Poster IT sold superior quality posters through fast, easy and secure online ordering at low prices.

Charity: Wellesley Council on Aging

Babson College in Wellesley, Mass., is recognized internationally as a leader in entrepreneurial management education. Babson grants BS degrees through its innovative undergraduate program, and grants MBA and custom MS and MBA degrees through the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College. Babson Executive Education offers executive development programs to experienced managers worldwide. For information, visit www.babson.edu.

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