Selling potted poinsettias resulted in a profit of more than $500 for a group of students in business professor Brian Richie’s class in Management and Organization Life.

The members of Freedom 5 – Bill Fuerth, Brianne O’Kane, Reina Lim, Shahzeb Memon and Travis Tuovinen – ran the sale to benefit the United Way. It seemed like a natural fit, said Tuovinen.

“People do enjoy giving to charity as well as decorating for Christmas,” he said.

The group turned over $540 to the United Way, which spokesperson Susan Merryfield called “much appreciated.” She extended a big thank you to the group.

“I believe everyone benefits from this contribution,” she said. “The students have earned a high grade on the project, and the community wins as well.”