The holiday season is a time of giving. As the season approaches, people are more than willing to help those in need. And considering the state of the economy, there seem to be many people in need of assistance in order to get through this holiday.
With this in mind, MCC is trying to do its part. Each campus has adopted a cause in an effort to provide joy to those who would otherwise miss out on this festive time. The following are but a few of the projects that MCC students, faculty and staff are working on.
The Criminal Justice Association of Penn Valley has initiated Project Kidz, a toy drive aimed at providing toys for the children of women detained at the Jackson County Detention Center. Under the leadership of the MCC - Penn Valley Division Chair of Social Sciences, Dr. Karen Curls, the fifty members of the association are attempting to collect enough toys to supply all of the targeted children.
"We hope that this will be an annual staple for the association, and eventually we will be able to provide this service for all of the nine hundred inmates detained at the center," said association president Vanessa Francises.
"This is only the beginning for our organization," said Francises. "We hope to do more." CJA’s toy drive began November 27 and will continue until December 11. Toys can be dropped off at HU 301 between 8am and 4:30pm Monday through Friday. For more information, contact Vanessa Francises at: vfrancises@yahoo.com.
The BTC Staff Association has selected to support the Angel Tree Project. This project, initiated by the Salvation Army, is designed to supply Christmas assistance to families who would otherwise be unable to have a Christmas. They answered the wishes of 40 children.
The Sociology 210 class of Blue River is collecting donations for the Pine Ridge Reservation, located in South Dakota. Pine Ridge is an impoverished Native American reservation where inhabitants suffer from poor living conditions and are in need of help. Their main objective is to collect $5,000 to purchase ten buffalo at $500 each and send them to the people of the reservation.
Maple Woods has decided to raise funds for Heifer International as a part of Lynette Jachowicz’s Interpersonal Communications final project. "My group, Team Mucho Help, will collect money, which will be used to buy farm animals for needy families in third-world nations," said tutor Heather Newton.
Longview will be collecting donations for Spoofed Home, a home for children who have been in an abusive or neglectful environment. Sociology instructor Tammie May and her family have volunteered numerous times at this home. The home needs items for boys and girls between four and twelve years of age.
Although these projects have set deadlines, they will accept late donations. It's amazing what a big difference a small act of kindness can make. In the spirit of the season, it's nice to offer something to someone who is less fortunate. Have a safe and happy holiday season.
Copyright 2006 Metropolitan Community College