ECC Helps Those in Need this Holiday Season
Even with the end of the semester coming to a close and final exams on the minds of many, East Central College students and staff took time to hold charity drives this holiday season.
“It doesn’t seem to matter what time of the year it is,” said ECC President Dr. Jon Bauer, “our students and staff find ways to help those in need. They have big hearts.”
The ECC Psychology Club held a toy drive this year. Donations were given to Lutheran Family and Children’s Services. This year, students gathered gifts for children age three to 18 including puzzles, stuffed animals, sports equipment, gift cards and more.
“After successfully collecting hundreds of pounds of food for the Union Food Pantry in October, we decided to tackle the holiday season as well,” said club advisor, Dr. Wendy Pecka, “We chose the Lutheran Family and Children’s Services because one of our club members found out that they needed Christmas presents.”
The student nurses took an international approach this year. They collected bars of soap for Honduras.
“The Washington Overseas Mission is a local group who takes a humanitarian and medical mission trip to Honduras annually. One of the medical physicians there said ‘soap is like medicine in Honduras,’” explained Associate Professor of Nursing, Judy Bieker. “Promoting health and wellness is a goal for every nurse, so hosting the soap drive fit perfectly with that mission.”
The Student Government Association (SGA) displayed an “angel tree” outside its office in December. Students were asked to choose an ornament with a gift idea written down, then bring the gift back to the tree after it was wrapped.
“Our student leaders always jump at the opportunity to help local families,” said Student Activities Coordinator Courtney Henrichsen. “This year was no different!”
Speaking of wrapping presents, The Learning Center took that burden off the shoulders of faculty and staff. For Pamela Peterson, it was a welcomed service.
“I literally took almost every gift I had for them to wrap,” she explained. “It was worth every penny!”
The Learning Center also held a Christmas craft sale. All the proceeds benefited its scholarship fund.