College-Wide Day of Service Kicks Off
‘50 Acts of Kindness’
Students, faculty, staff, alumni and community supporters joined individuals and organizations across the nation in honoring the legacy
of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on January 20, 2014 for an annual day
of service. Close to 150 participants volunteered at three sites in
Montgomery County: Habitat for Humanity ReStore in East Norriton,
Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown, and Olivet Boys & Girls Club in
Pottstown. Volunteers performed maintenance, organization and clean-up
tasks to help these community organizations.
Dinner with Governor Tom Corbett
Students in Montgomery County Community College’s Rotaract Club helped to serve dinner at the Rotary Leadership Dinner at the Manor House in Ambler on January 29, 2014.
Members from more than 20 Rotary clubs gathered to hear Governor Tom Corbett speak about key issues facing the state and local communities.
Cookin’ Up Smiles at Ronald McDonald House
Rotaract Club members volunteered to cook and serve breakfast for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia during the morning of Saturday, February 1.
Ronald McDonald Houses serve as temporary homes for families with children who have long-term hospital stays, and the Rotoracts’ breakfast provided a bright start for the visiting families.
Hoops for Hope
From January 2 through February 8, 2014, the Mustangs Women’s Basketball team sold raffle tickets and collected monetary donations for its “Hoops for Hope” campaign, which increased awareness of breast cancer and raised scholarship funds for students and families affected by the disease.
More than $590 was collected during the campaign to benefit the Prayers and Poinsettias scholarship fund founded by alumna Mary Beatty of Barto. The organization helps families with mothers who are battling breast cancer and cannot financially support their children’s education because of medical bills and loss of employment due to their illness.
Giving Blood, Saving Lives
On February 10, 2014, students, faculty and staff at West Campus in Pottstown and members of the local community donated blood as part of the Miller-Keystone Blood Drive held in the South Hall Community Room held by the College’s Student Leadership and Involvement Office.
The 17 units collected from 30 donors helped approximately 51 people by boosting the supplies at 26 area hospitals.
Baking the Presidents Day Cake
Pastry Arts students from the Culinary Arts Institute at Montgomery County Community College partnered with Valley Forge National Historical Park to celebrate the 282nd birthday of President George Washington on February 17, 2014. About 25 students, under the guidance of adjunct instructor Chef Julia Quay, baked one birthday cake and 500 patriotic-looking cupcakes for the hundreds of visitors who came to celebrate the momentous occasion.
Dinner & Show for Scholarships
Students from various clubs at West Campus in Pottstown (the Inter Club Council) volunteered to sell and serve lasagna dinners to raise money for the West Campus Student Scholarship Fund.
Additionally, students of the West End Student Theatre group presented an interactive, improvisational dating show that had diners roaring with laughter. The event raised more than $420.
Alternative Spring Break - The Samaritan Women
Students and staff volunteered to spend their spring break in Baltimore, Maryland, working at the non-profit organization, The Samaritan Women, which helps people who were involved in human trafficking to heal and find hope.
In addition to working on projects at the facility, the volunteers were trained to advocate for human rights and speak out against human trafficking.
Alternative Spring Break – Habitat ReStore
On March 15, students and staff volunteered for the day to help at the Habitat for Humanity Restore of Montgomery County in Norristown.
Cleaning Up Washington D.C.
Montgomery County Community College Student Government Leaders volunteered to help cleanup parks in Washington D.C. while the visited the nation’s capital for the annual American Student Association of Community Colleges leadership conference.
Healthy Teeth Create Happy Smiles
As part of the Students and staff volunteered at Community Health and Dental Care in Pottstown on March 23 to assist with free dental sealants to children in the community who are younger than 14 years.
Community College Advocates
Political Science students, Student Government Association leaders, and other Club and Campus student leaders visited their state legislators in Harrisburg on Lobby Day, April 2, 2014, to advocate on behalf Montgomery County Community College and support for all community colleges.
Run & Walk to Help Cancer Research
Students in the Introduction to Exercise, Science and Wellness classes raised approximately $875 for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer by hosting a Run 5 Save Lives! 5K run/1-mile fun walk on April 14 at the Central Campus in Blue Bell.
Sixty-eight community members, faculty, staff and students participated in the event organized by 54 students under direction of Assistant Professor Dr. Anne Livezey and Instructor Amanda Wooldridge, co-coordinators of the ESW program.
Stock-Up for Success Dinner
Hospitality Management students and faculty held a fundraiser dinner on April 28 to help the Stock-Up for Success Program, which provides food to eligible students.
Giving the Gift of Life
The Student Leadership and Involvement Office hosted an American Red Cross Blood Drive on April 28 at Central Campus in Blue Bell.
Twenty-two volunteers donated 21 pints of lifesaving blood.
French Creek Cleanup
Environmental Club members spent several hours on April 30 cleaning up trash, debris and discarded items along French Creek.
Recycle, Reuse, Reduce
During the month of April, the college community participated in the 2014 Recyclemania Tournament by recycling paper, plastics, aluminum cans and other items while striving to reuse items and reduce consumption of materials.
Nationally, the College ranked 11th in Waste Minimization among public two-year colleges and 22nd among all colleges and universities.
Thinking Green
The College’s Climate Committee hosted a variety of activities April 21-24 in honor of Earth Day, April 22.
The College dedicated its new wind turbines at West Campus in Pottstown, held an Eco Style Fashion Show and introduced a new shuttle vehicle powered by natural gas instead of diesel fuel. Additionally, Earth Day block parties were hosted at both campuses to generate awareness and encourage green thinking and actions.
Love for Uganda
Rotaract Club members collected donations and raised more than $321 for a home for infants in Uganda.
Sharing Food at Manna
Sixteen Hotel and Restaurant Management students, led by Instructor James Lynch, prepared and served dinner at Manna on Main Street to the homeless, as part of their service learning project.
School Supplies Drive
Members of the Thrive Club collected school supplies to help area children be prepared for school.
Opposing Human Trafficking
Alternative Spring Break (Baltimore Team) members presented an awareness event on April 25 with Pennsylvania State Senator Stewart Greenleaf at Central Campus in Blue Bell about the issues of human and sex trafficking in Pennsylvania.
WeeCanned Food Drive
Montco Radio students collected canned food items on April 26 to donate to Manna on Main Street Food Pantry.
The Pillow Project
In April, Rotaract Club members made more than 50 pillows for the children at St. Mary’s Children’s Home.
Finals Breakfast
Faculty and staff at both campuses volunteered on May 1 to serve free breakfast to students to help prepare them for their finals.
The breakfast was sponsored by the Student Leadership & Involvement office.
Creative Service
Using some old musical instruments and spray paint, Drama Club members decorated a newspaper box on behalf of the Settlement Music School, Willow Grove.
They entered the box in Creative MontCo’s Artbox Competition.
Rotaract District Conference Presentation
Rotaract Club members gave a presentation on May 5 at the Rotaract District Conference about how to build a college chapter.
Commencement Volunteers
More than 60 faculty, students and staff volunteered to assist with the College’s Commencement ceremony on May 15.
Leading Women Volunteers
Students and staff volunteered to assist with the College’s annual Leading Women Golf Symposium on June 2.
This fundraising event provides scholarships for female students and programs that support women.
Admin Retreat: Elmwood Zoo Cleanup
This year’s Administrative Staff Retreat on June 10 focused on volunteering at various sites and organization, including the Elmwood Park Zoo.
Volunteers helped to clean up the grounds, pull weeds and beautify the gardens.
Admin Retreat: Greater Norristown Police Athletic League
As part of the Administrative Staff Retreat, volunteers helped with clean-up chores, painting and cleanup of the grounds on June 10.
Admin Retreat: Senior Center (Norristown)
As part of the Administrative Staff Retreat on June 10, volunteers helped paint, cleanup, garden and sort and organize supplies at the Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County (Norristown).
Admin Retreat: Senior Center (Ambler)
As part of the Administrative Staff Retreat on June 10, volunteers helped paint, cleanup, garden and sort and organize supplies at the Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County (Ambler).
Admin Retreat: Project Linus
As part of the Administrative Staff Retreat on June 10, volunteers gathered in College Hall in Blue Bell to make blankets for Project Linus.
Helping Our Veterans
More than 90 student nurses participated in the annual PA Hero Walk on June 14, and they raised approximately $3,300 to support Pennsylvania veterans.
Remembering our Heroes
Cadets from the College's Municipal Police Academy volunteered and participated in the Montgomery County 9/11 Hero's Run in Norristown on Sept. 7, 2014.
Carousel of Flavor
Students from the Culinary Arts Institute volunteered to be judges at the 11th Annual Carousel of Flavor fundraiser on Sept. 14 in Pottstown. They spent several hours tasting and selecting the winning dishes submitted by the participating restaurants and pubs. The food was sold at the event to help raise funds for the Carousel of Pottstown—a community project that features the restoration of an old-fashioned carousel located near Memorial Park between High and King streets. The project is part of an ongoing revitalization effort for the community to attract visitors and businesses to the area.
Cradles to Crayons
Students Aaliyah Ford, Artrease Byrd, Brandon Bailey, Grace Bako, Raymond Straughter, Sarah Robbins, Tonia Green, Trudy Jefferson and Wilfredo Montijo helped Cradles to Crayons pack more than 100 bags of toys, school supplies and clothes that will be shipped to children in need within the southeastern Pennsylvania area.
