BU Student PR Agency, Andover-Based Nonprofit Honored For PR Campaign

BOSTON AND ANDOVER, MA — A 2o22 fundraising campaign created by a Boston University-based student PR agency for an Andover-based nonprofit has earned a prestigious Social Impact Award from PR News.

Last year, Aaron's Presents — a nonprofit that provides mentoring, resources and support for children and teenagers — worked with PRLab — a student-staffed PR agency — on a campaign that raised over $10,000 in seven days, helping to send 60 middle and high school students to summer programs.

Recently, that campaign was chosen by PR News as its 2023 Social Impact Award winner in the category of "Fundraising." The campaign also earned honorable mention for the PR News Nonprofit Awards in the category of "PR on a Shoestring Budget."

According to PRLab, the Aaron's Presents fundraising campaign initially included a summer fundraising event. However, that strategy changed when a venue for the event could not be secured within budget.

The PR team pivoted to an online fundraiser, creating a new landing page and collaborating with the leadership team at Aaron's Presents to set up a Facebook fundraising page.

To generate more donations, the PR team also sought sponsorships from local businesses.

The result: a PR campaign that was a resounding success.

"We are proud to have partnered with PRLab on our Summer CAMP(aign) 2022," said Leah Okimoto, founder of Aaron's Presents. "(PRLab) raised over our $10k goal, and because of their efforts, we sent 60 of our kids and teens to amazing summer camps and programs all around New England."

Okimoto continued: "We love working with PRLab students — they are professional, creative and dedicated, and they understood our mission and needs right away. Thank you for recognizing the team's outstanding work."

According to PR News, the Social Impact Awards recognize individuals and organizations significantly impacting their communities. A panel of experts in the public relations industry evaluated the nominated campaigns, determining the winners in each category.

"The winners for this year's Social Impact Awards are exemplary models of corporate social responsibility and diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Erika Bradbury, editorial director of PR News. "Our honorees deserve to be recognized for their work in their respective communities, and it's a privilege to recognize them for their commitments."