ORU Branding Class Assists Wings Of Freedom
Oral Roberts University’s Branding and Promotions classes are getting real-world experience and at the same time changing lives through a classroom assignment. The students have adopted a client with whom they may practice their newly-acquired skills.
That client is Wings of Freedom, a faith-based sober living program that touches lives of otherwise hopeless people in the Tulsa area. Since 2001, hundreds of addicts, alcoholics and ex-offenders have been set free from the captivity of drugs and drink through the program. Members are introduced to new, healthy and productive lifestyle choices through Bibical teaching, staff example and a peer support system.
Students, under the direction of Assistant Professor Chris Putman, are building a promotional package to raise awareness for Wings of Freedom. Students with clipboards and surveys in hand will conduct research on the target audience to gather insight on public awareness and opinion, write press releases and public service announcements to gain exposure, design ads and brochures, plan guerrilla marketing, use social media, design a fundraising presentation and then compile their promotional recommendations into a plans book for the organization to utilize.
The Wings of Freedom program was started by Founder and Director Dixie Pebworth. who had firsthand experience with the destructive lifestyle of addiction but through faith in God overcame bondage. Because of his inspirational recovery, he now desires to touch other lives in a payback fashion.
“When someone reached out to me with the love of God and gave me a second chance in life, it created a burning passion in my heart to do the same,” Pebworth says. “When I see through Wings of Freedom a life once held captive by darkness set free, return to society as a productive citizen, sober, working, responsible and with family relationships restored, it brings me great joy.
Professor Putnam says, “Each year I seek out a nonprofit organization my students can adopt as their client for the semester. When I secured Wings of Freedom as this year’s class client, I knew I found an organization my students could believe in and work for with conviction. I enjoy having a real-world organization on which my students can practice their skills, help a credible organization and touch lives all while earning college credit.”
To gain more information on or make a contribution to Wings of Freedom, visit www.wingsoffreedomok.com.
Updated 02-21-2011
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