DCCC Students Reach Out to Help Others During the Holidays

December 22, 2011

Students at Davidson County Community College (DCCC) started early in the fall semester thinking of ways to reach out to others during the holiday season.

Whether it was throwing a festive party for deserving children, collecting and donating much-needed supplies for a free medical clinic, or designing a holiday card to brighten the days of those grieving the loss of a loved one, students at DCCC showed they care about their community.

Students in DCCC’s Career Readiness courses collected and donated a van full of items needed by Davidson Medical Ministries. The students started collecting items early in the fall semester after deciding they wanted to assist the non-profit agency that serves the health needs of those without health or dental insurance or money to purchase prescription medicines.

DCCC’s College and Career readiness staff contacted Davidson Medical Ministries to create a supply list, and DCCC students went to work collecting items such as office and cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items, and other goods needed to run the facility.

“Davidson County Community College believes in giving back to the community, and the college encourages students to take an active part, especially during the holiday seaon,” said Lorie Sechrist, who coordinates DCCC’s College and Career Readiness programs. “Our students took the challenge and produced generous results,” she said.

Taking part in the holiday outreach event for Davidson Medical Ministries were DCCC students Josh Hill, Patricia Burchette, Gale Poole, Angela Milner, Vanessa Tiller, Wilma Brooks, Shirley Leonard and Nicole Grossman.

“Our students work hard at school, at home, and at their jobs, yet they find time to give back to the community. They are a role model for other students and for the community.  They believe in community and the spirit of being a neighbor, and it is an honor and a privilege to work with them,” Sechrist said.

In another seasonal outreach event, DCCC’s Student Government Association (SGA) threw a holiday party Dec. 13 for children and teens who are members of the Davidson County Salvation Army’s Boys and Girls Club.

Held in the DCCC Conference Center, approximately 100 children and teens from Thomasville and Lexington attended the party from 6 to 8 p.m.  Santa made an early stop at DCCC and gave each child a goody bag filled with holiday treats.

The young guests excitedly circulated through five stations where they created and decorated holiday ornaments, played X-Box Connect and Wii games as well as favorite board games, listened to holiday stories, and got their nails and faces painted.

Leading the SGA holiday outreach project was James Goulding, SGA president, assisted by William Scott, vice president; Tara Webster, secretary/treasurer, Rachel Hodge, parliamentarian, and Dailian Silverio, SGA senator. Assisting with party planning and execution were Lynne Watts, the SGA advisor,  and Laura Brown, co-advisor.

In a third holiday-related project, DCCC art and design student Nathan Godbey used his creative talents to touch approximately 1,000 people in December. Godbey’s original art work, titled “Beacon on a Cold Eve,” was chosen as the winner of a holiday card contest developed by Hospice of Davidson County.

Godbey’s art was reproduced and printed on over 1,000 holiday cards mailed by Hospice to those grieving the loss of a loved one as well as to supporters and friends of the organization. Godbey graduated from North Davidson High School in 2005 and later enrolled at DCCC where he is studying art, design and biology.

DCCC’s College and Career Readiness students unload a van full of donations for the Davidson Medical Ministries Clinic. From left are Josh Hill, Vanessa Tiller, Shirley Leonard, Angela Milner, Patricia Burchette and Wilma Brooks.

Laura Brown, (left) co-advisor of the DCCC Student Government Association (SGA), and Jennifer Corbett, DCCC’s student services specialist, paint faces and fingernails of children who attended a holiday party at DCCC Dec. 13 sponsored by the SGA.

Nathan Godbey, a DCCC art and design student, created the original art titled “Beacon on a Cold Eve” that won a Hospice of Davidson County holiday card contest. Godbey’s art was reproduced and printed on over 1,000 holiday cards mailed by Hospice to those grieving the loss of a loved one and to others who support the organization.