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.