BCBS Helps Ensure Fiscal Health of MCC

Blue Cross and Blue Shield, MCC's health insurance provider, gave an unexpected donation to MCC this week in the form of a $2,500 check.

The contribution was presented by Carol Jones, BCBS senior account executive, to Chancellor Mark James during the MCC officers' meeting Tuesday.

A letter from BCBS President and CEO David Gentile said the contribution signifies the insurance company's commitment to partnering with MCC to enrich and advance Greater Kansas City.

"We know state revenue shortfalls have intensified pressure on your budgets and that you are forced to make difficult decisions," Gentile said in the letter. "We hope you'll use this money to secure educational programs, sponsorships, or other appropriate purposes as you and the foundation determine."

Donations already coming in for Spofford Home

Throughout June MCC is collecting donations for Spofford Home, an organization that cares for kids who have no homes and kids who suffer from mental illness. The month has just begun, and donations are already trickling in. Thus far, we have collected several boxes of crayons and $50 in gift cards to help buy school uniforms. MCC-Blue River is the destination campus for back-to-school supplies for these children.

Here’s what the kids at Spofford Home need:

Markers

Glue sticks and Elmer’s glue bottles

Composition journals

Back packs

Wal-mart gift cards ($5 and up, for school uniforms)

School uniforms (Navy/Khaki bottoms, White/Navy tops)

For further information on this MCC donation, see the more detailed May 19, 2011 MCC Insider article.

Please send donations to Amy Slater at MCC-Blue River, 20301 E 78 Highway, Independence, MO 64057

MCC-Blue River gives and gives

­The next time you’re in the MCC-Blue River Campus Center, look for the colorful donation bins across from the campus security office. The bins are the work of the MCC-Blue River Student Activity Council (SAC). Soon, they will be distributed to needy Blue River students and local nonprofit agencies.

Here’s how it will work. Donated items will be given to Blue River students. After which, the group will forward the remaining items to a local nonprofit.

What is needed…

“We are accepting anything someone [in need] might be able to use." says MCC-Blue River student and SAC representative Elizabeth Short. Her counterparts Tina Livingston and Amber Delorme are also active in the charitable effort. Livingston says “some students don’t have the everyday items most people take for granted."

To meet this need, the SAC will collect items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss and the like.

The group makes a specific request for canned and non-perishable meats. According to Livingston, they have plenty of sides, but not very many meat items.

Compelled to Give…
Some students are motivated to give because they know what it’s like not to have what one needs. But others have a different motivation entirely.

“I give from a position of thanksgiving,” says Amber. “I’m grateful for everything I have; so I want to give to those who don’t have what I have."

Other Examples of MCC-Blue River’s Generosity
Recently, Instructional Services Coordinator, Rebecca Warner collected over 50 decorated shoe boxes containing everything from hygiene products. The items were shipped to children in world-wide by a national nonprofit.

Community Ed’s Carol Brown is currently leading the charge for the campus Angel Tree. The tree’s ornaments are wish list items for needy families and children. She and Amy Slater also organized donations for Thanksgiving dinners.

Blue River staff students, staff and faculty are helping build a Habitat home for a Blue River colleague.

One of the students said: “It doesn’t take much to change someone’s life." Blue River is certainly doing it’s part to try.

You can still help!

Donations needed:

· Canned meats (tuna, chicken, Spam, salmon, sardines, etc.)
· Warm outer wear (hats, gloves, scarves, sweaters, thermal undergarments, jackets, coats, etc)
· Warm clothing items
· Sleeping bags and blankets

Donations (bins) will be accepted until around December 18. For more information, contact Amy Slater at 816.604.6635 or email her at Amy.Slater@mcckc.edu.

If you have questions about the Angel Tree, contact Carol.Brown@mcckc.edu or call her at 816.604.6518.

MCC-Blue River encourages staff and faculty to forego gifts for colleagues this year and adopt an ornament off our Angel Network trees. You can also make a small donation to our families that Blue River has adopted.

MCC Cares - Thanksgiving donations on the Blue River campus

In alignment with the MCC spirit, MCC-Blue River has demonstrated an unrelenting commitment to the academic, social and personal well-being of our students.

For instance, in early November, Carol Brown, continuing education coordinator, sent an all-campus email requesting donations for Thanksgiving Day meals and student nominations to receive them. As you would suspect, Blue River stepped up to the proverbial plate.

When asked how long Blue River has given away holiday meals, Brown was somewhat perplexed because it has been some time now. She said “I was trying to figure out how long we have been doing this. I think since ’92."

Community Partners
Brown has also cultivated helpful relationships with generous community members. About 15 years ago, she received an unexpected call from a compassionate community member asking if she and her husband could help needy Blue River students. Since that initial call, the couple has maintained contact with her and calls each year to find out how many Blue River students are in need. They provide turkeys, potatoes, apples, oranges, stuffing, onions and more!

A true team effort, Amy Slater coordinated donations from Honey Baked Ham.

Opportunities to help still exist! Be a part of Blue River’s effort to make this holiday season joyous for more families and children. Here are just a few ways:

1. The Campus Angel Tree
We have about 12 families on the Angel Tree. The trees are located in various locations throughout campus. Here’s how it works: read the ornaments to see what holiday “wishes” the children and families have for Christmas.

2. Donation Bins
The Student Activity Council has placed bins for clothing, food and outer apparel. More information coming soon on The MCC Insider!