Nearly 200 employees of Bridgepoint Education (NYSE: BPI) and its two academic institutions, Ashford University and University of the Rockies, took to the bowling lanes on Monday, March 28 to raise money for Junior Achievement of San Diego and Imperial Counties. In the end, employees raised a total of $8,425.
Dubbed the “Big Easy Bowl,” the Mardi Gras-themed event took place at the Mira Mesa Lanes near Bridgepoint Education’s company headquarters. Employees were asked to form teams with each team member pledging to raise a minimum of $25. A total of 190 employees eagerly signed up to fill a roster of 42 teams. Additional funds were raised for Junior Achievement through a prize and 50/50 drawings at the event itself.
Bridgepoint’s involvement with the Big Easy Bowl was part of a larger Bowl-A-Thon effort for Junior Achievement. It was Junior Achievement’s 26th year to hold this campaign, which has become Junior Achievement of San Diego and Imperial Counties’ largest fundraiser each year. This year’s Bowl-A-Thon campaign is expected to bring in more than $100,000 from participating companies and organizations. Among the 39 organizations participating in this year’s Bowl-A-Thon, Bridgepoint Education ranked fourth in terms of dollars raised.
“The Big Easy Bowl was a fun way for Bridgepoint employees to give back to a great organization like Junior Achievement,” said Michelle Savarese, Bridgepoint Education associate vice president, Learning and Development. “Two of Bridgepoint’s philanthropic focus areas are youth and education. By supporting Junior Achievement, we are supporting an organization that provides valuable education to children throughout the region.”
Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to educating students about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. It organizes in-school programs where business leaders are invited to speak directly to children in classrooms. Junior Achievement of San Diego and Imperial Counties also maintain the BizTown facility where students run businesses and hold civic positions in a mock city. Junior Achievement’s goal is to prepare students for economic achievement and success throughout their lives.
About Bridgepoint Education
Bridgepoint Education’s postsecondary education services focus on offering associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in such disciplines as business, education, psychology, social sciences and health sciences. Bridgepoint Education’s regionally accredited academic institutions – Ashford University and University of the Rockies – deliver their programs online as well as at traditional campuses located in Clinton, Iowa, and Colorado Springs, Colorado. For more information about Bridgepoint Education, visit www.bridgepointeducation.com or call Shari Rodriguez, associate vice president of Public Relations, at 858.668.2580.
About Junior Achievement
Junior Achievement of San Diego and Imperial Counties has been working since 1950 to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. Bridging education and business, Junior Achievement introduces students to critical career and life skills, providing volunteers with the tools and training to reach K-12 students during the school year. Junior Achievement’s vital curriculum comes alive when volunteers – business leaders, community members and parents – lead innovative, hands-on lessons that introduce students to work-readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy in a way that helps students set goals and be successful in school and life.