SDSU KARE Car Giveaway to Benefit the Small Business Disaster Relief Fund

Contact: Dr. Michael Cunningham
SDSU College of Business Administration
(858)-945-2596; (619)-594-6023; mcunning@mail.sdsu.edu 

SAN DIEGO, October 3, 2005 - The San Diego State University (SDSU) Katrina Aid & Relief Effort (KARE) is kicking off its KARE Car GiveawayTuesday, October 4, 2005, at 10 a.m.  A brand new 2005 BMW Z4 Roadster will be parked just below the steps on Centennial Walkway at SDSU.  The winner of the giveaway will receive a prepaid two-year lease from Harloff BMW.
 
Donations will be accepted from Tuesday, October 4 through Sunday, December 6, 2005.  A suggested donation is $20, as KARE is hoping to raise $100,000 through 5,000 chances.  The final prize drawing will take place on Monday, December 7, 2005, by an independent accounting firm.  The SDSU KARE Web site, www.sdsukare.com, includes more information regarding the drawing and other KARE fundraising events.
 
SDSU KARE is a non-profit organization consisting of Students Helping Small Businesses and was formed by students in a graduate business planning class in the MBA program at SDSU.  The course reinforces SDSU’s business curriculum by allowing students to experience the urgency of creating and implementing a functional business plan.
 
These students have created and put together a plan to turn $25,000 in seed money donated by their professor into $1 million in order to assist small business owners affected by Hurricane Katrina.  KARE’s efforts will provide grants for expenses not covered by insurance to expedite the process of getting as many businesses as possible operating again. Through KARE, the students are committed to restoring dignity and self-reliance by providing humanitarian aid, hope and renewal for the small businesses of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
 
All funds raised will support the Small Business Disaster Relief Fund which was set up by the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI), with the assistance of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation (BRAF).  Recipients of the grants will be determined by an objective panel that is already receiving 100-150 applications from businesses per day. The students plan on achieving their goal by reaching out to San Diego’s business community and SDSU’s alumni, students, staff and faculty.
 
Anyone wishing to make a tax-deductible donation should donate at www.sdsukare.com, or make their checks out to the Small Business Disaster Relief Fund c/o San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, Business Administration Building Room 428, San Diego, CA 92182.

Professor Cunningham's biographical web page