Editorial: On the money, CVTC!

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Hopefully most readers saw last week’s Journal story explaining how a class of local technical college business students helped transform the Second Chances Main Street store for the winter holiday season.

Proceeds from the nonprofit Second Chances retailer go to Turningpoint domestic abuse shelter in River Falls. The class of 26 students that worked recently at Second Chances came from the River Falls campus of Chippewa Valley Technical College.

If you haven’t browsed Second Chances, stop in sometime. It’s in the middle of downtown in the big old furniture store. There, you can find just about everything — bedding, dishes, books, toys, furniture, dishes, glassware, artwork, knickknacks, jewelry, purses and scarves, CDs, videos, sewing and craft supplies, and more.

Goods are donated. They’re secondhand, but some are either practically new or come still wrapped in packages and are, in fact, new. As an incentive, donors to Second Chances also get a tax write-off.

Led by instructor Julie Cross, the CVTC business class was invited to Second Chances to assist with rearranging the store so holiday merchandise could be better showcased. According to manager Kelly Zillmer, the students did such a fantastic job with product displays that the store’s new look will extend beyond the holidays.

In other words, the improvements are permanent, and that’s a credit to the diligent efforts that CVTC students applied to their learning project. This was demonstrated by work that was often done during after-class hours.

Cross said that hands-on, real-life projects give her business students the “tools to hit the ground running upon graduation.” We think she’s hit on the right formula. Downtown shoppers who check out Second Chances, 125 N. Main St., will also agree. The store is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; Wednesdays, Second Chances is open until 7 p.m.

The Journal’s online poll question this week asked: Should River Falls amend its law that prohibits “all fighting” within city limits so it allows for traditional-style boxing events?

As of Monday afternoon, the response was: NO, 70%; YES, 30%. You can vote on this question until Friday when a new one appears.

Tags: opinion, editorials, cvtc, education