Maple Woods Vet Tech students assist smallest victims of Joplin tornado

As soon as the dust settled in Joplin, Mo., residents and volunteers from all over the region began work searching, mourning, rebuilding and restoring the town after parts of it were decimated by a tornado. As families searched picked through the rubble, trying to salvage possessions, cars, sanity, it became clear that the people of Joplin weren't the only ones who needed assistance.

There were also the animals.Family pets left to wander the debris, waiting for the return of their owners; animals needing medical attention; lost family members needing shelter while they waited to be claimed.

Two of Maple Woods' veterinary technology students took the needs of ALL of Joplin's residents to heart and went, along with hundreds of others, to assist the southwest Missouri community. Emily Dahl and Debbi Mitchell worked with the Missouri Veterinary Response Team to conduct search and rescue operations and set up a temporary shelter on the Missouri Southern State University campus. One of Joplin's seven animal facilities was completely destroyed, and most of the others were without power and running short on supplies. Emily and Debbi provided medical assistance, helped with trying to locate owners and generally caring for the misplaced animal

"I love animals, and going to help out with the animals seemed like it made the most sense. Pets are part of the family, and after everyone gets settled, they're going to come looking for them, and it will be great to hand over a beloved pet. It's part of the healing process."

MCC-Maple Woods to host Joplin Relief Blood Drive

Many things are needed in the aftermath of the tornadoes in Joplin, including blood supplies. In an effort to provide relief and much-needed supplies for the Community Blood Center, Maple Woods is hosting a Joplin Relief Blood Drive from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. July 5, 2011 in the Student Center. This is a great opportunity for students, faculty and staff who may not have time to donate during the spring and fall semesters to help out!

Those who wish to donate must present a photo ID and complete a mini-physical and health summary (private). Anyone who is healthy, over 16 years old and weighs at least 115 pounds is eligible to donate.

Visit the Community Blood Center to learn more about the donation process.

MCC-Maple Woods students collecting donations for Harvesters

MCC-Maple Wood’s new student organization, the Student Leadership Council, is hosting a food drive for the needy families of Kansas City. Harvesters’ agencies provide assistance to nearly 60,000 people every week. Half of that number is children and elderly. If you would like to donate, there are 2 boxes located in the Student Center, one on the stairs leading to the Library, and one on the bottom floor of the Math-Science Building.

Classrooms without walls - Service learning creates opportunities

Kelsie Woodward was looking for some additional credits when an advisor suggested she try an English class with a service learning component. The freshman from Blue Springs had no idea what service learning was about - classrooms without borders.


Woodward’s group worked with Harvesters, Metro Lutheran Ministry and Kansas City Rescue Mission. The group raised funds, served at fundraisers and interacted with homeless people.

"It was a real eye-opener, talking with those who before were just faceless people who crossed your path," said Woodward. "I learned about myself in many ways and drew upon the values I was raised with. Optimism, caring and willingness to help. As Ghandi said, 'You must be the change you want to see in the world.'"

Service learning allows student to earn credit outside the walls of the classroom. With service-learning courses, students make learning an adventure, experience the real world, serve their community, help others and get credit. Check out the Service Learning facebook page to see students interact with their community.

To see what classes are available, click here.

MCC-Longview students keeping KC parks clean

MCC-Longview students were featured over the weekend in The Kansas City Star as they worked all day Saturday to clean up Blue Valley Park.

The park, notorious for being an illegal dumping ground for tires and other trash in Northeast Kansas City, got some much needed attention as dozens of students from MCC spent the morning clearing out rubbish.

This is the 21st annual park clean up led by MCC-Longview and instructor Keet Kopecky's service learning program.

MCC-Blue River seeks volunteers for City of Independence Spring Clean-Up

The city of Independence will have receptacles in the parking lot at MCC-Blue River so that people in the local community may dispose of any unwanted items they have accumulated over the winter. The City of Independence Spring Clean-Up is a program designed to aid elderly and handicapped citizens to dispose of unwanted garbage and items.

From 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, volunteers will be needed to help unload the items that are collected and possibly to go with city employees who will pick up items from elderly and disabled neighbors who have requested assistance.

It’s a fun, fast paced morning to work, and students, staff, faculty and the general public are all invited to volunteer their help. Watch a nationally recognized community service program at work and be part of the action.

Volunteer Opportunity Saturday, April 2 at MCC-Blue River, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Contact Amy Slater at MCC-Blue River for details, 806.604.6500 or Amy.Slater@mcckc.edu

Sign up for the MLK Day of Service: Jan. 17.

PLEASE encourage students to sign up NOW.

  Sign up before Finals begin!

MCC is carrying on the tradition and having our second Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day of Service! This is a day for faculty, staff, students and administrators to come together to give back to our community. Please encourage students to participate.

Monday, Jan. 17

^{8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.}

^{We begin the day with an opening ceremony at MCC-Longview’s Education Center.}

^{Note: Jan. 17 MCC is closed.}

^{This event occurs BEFORE the spring semester begins.}

We have a NEW online sign-up designed for MLK Day of Service.

1)      Go to www.mcckc.edu/mlk to sign up NOW.

All the different service projects are listed online.

2)      Choose a campus

3)      Choose your service project

3) Fill out your information

4) Print and turn in the Travel & Photo waivers to the

Campus Life and Leadership Office (CC, 253)

Build a house, help a colleague

Like countless Kansas Citians, you're likely familiar with the fine work of Habitat for Humanity.

Our area Habitat is offering an amazing opportunity to the MCC-Blue River community. One of our Blue River colleagues is the recipient of a Habitat house and you can help make her dream a reality!

Volunteers needn’t have experience in building or construction. In fact, Pat Turner, the executive director of the Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity, says there are “zero” expectations for construction knowledge.

You can contribute in a variety of ways. Some of the tasks are:

· Hammering nails and screwing screws
· Cutting and hanging siding
· Picking up scraps and much more!

Your help is needed on Saturday, November 6 and Saturday, Nov. 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. No need to bring tools, Habitat provides everything needed.

If you (and/or a friend) can offer assistance to this worthy cause and help a Blue River co-worker, please contact Barbara Schaefer as soon as possible. Her number is 816.604.6558.