 Left to right: Mayra Smith and Clarrisa Bonin) LSC-Montgomery students Mayra Smith and Clarrisa Bonin help sort items donated to help those affected by April’s floods. |
community to help 36 families affected by April’s floods. LSC-Montgomery students, faculty and staff impacted by the weather could speak with counselors, pick up packages of essential toiletry, cleaning and pet items, find information on flood relief assistance, and get groceries from the food pantry. Seventy-two LSC-Montgomery students, faculty and staff recovering from damages were also awarded a total of $45,600 in special grants from the College.
New, unused cleaning supplies, household items, pet supplies, personal hygiene products, school supplies, baby products and child-appropriate toiletries and clothing were donated by the LSC-Montgomery community and the community at large.
“We were overwhelmed by everyone’s
generosity,” Melissa Heselmeyer LSC-Montgomery librarian and Phi Theta Kappa
(PTK) advisor. “We had several professors who organized with their classes to donate
supplies. We were happy to be able to meet the needs of our students and staff.”
“Every time we thought, ‘we are running out
of supplies and we are not going to have enough to give out,’ another donation
load would come in,” said Sarah Palacios-Wilhelm, LSC-Montgomery library director
and PTK advisor. “Victims even requested very specific items that we shared
with the community and people went out, bought that item and donated it the
same day.”
LSC-Montgomery volunteers ran the relief
efforts. “A call for volunteers went out on campus and within just a couple of
hours people were eagerly signing up,” said Dr. Rachel Trackey, LSC-Montgomery counselor.
“That was so heartwarming to me. Just knowing that people were ready to serve
if somebody came in and needed it was really important. Then there were many people
who came and received donations that then asked if they could come back and volunteer.
They were all so gracious and thankful.”
PTK, a student-run international
honor society on the LSC-Montgomery campus, led the way in collecting and
organizing donations. “As a member of PTK one of our hallmarks is service,” said
Hope Bennett, chapter president. “PTK is known for its generosity. I serve with
a team that is truly dedicated to reaching out and helping. We don't just
imagine what we can accomplish; we are committed to making a difference.”
“It was more than just a
donation drive,” said Palacios-Wilhelm. “LSC-Montgomery came together; the
counselors provided emotional support and the food panty extended its hours. It
was really important that we had a holistic approach to providing what our
community needed.”
LSC-Montgomery is located at 3200 College Park Drive,
one-half mile west of Interstate 45, between Conroe and The Woodlands. For more
information about the college, call 936.273.7000, or visit LoneStar.edu/Montgomery.
Known for its leadership, innovation and steadfast
commitment to student success, Lone Star College provides high-quality academic
transfer and workforce education / career training programs to more than 83,000
credit students each semester, and a total enrollment of 95,000 students. LSC
is training tomorrow’s workforce today
and redefining the community college experience to promote student success and
economic prosperity. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., is the chancellor of LSC, the
largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, which consists of
six colleges, eight centers, two university centers, Lone Star Corporate
College and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.