TOMBALL, Texas – Sometimes it is the little things you do that make the biggest difference in someone else’s life. That proved to be the case for LSC-Tomball’s Student Life Manager Shannon Marino.
Looking at the devastation in the Houston Metro area that Hurricane Harvey left, she wondered to herself what could she do to help those in need? She stopped wondering, and decided to take action by posting a short message on Facebook asking her friends for help. As a result, a community college system, a high school, and an entire community in Missouri decided to send two semi-trailer trucks filled with supplies. One of those trucks stopped in Tomball.
“This is huge for them to reach out and to want to help the students and community here,” said Marino. “The supplies are for the students at both Tomball high schools, and Lone Star College-Tomball students.”
Officials with State Fair Community College (SFCC) and Smith-Cotton High School said they were so inspired by Marino’s Facebook post that they decided to join together with the citizens of Sedalia, Missouri, to fill two semi-trailer trucks with needed supplies. Representatives drove more than 750 miles to unload the items from one of the two trailers at Tomball High School. LSC-Tomball served as a temporary shelter for Hurricane Harvey evacuees. The second semi-trailer truck went to Port Arthur, according to Marino.
“As we started discussing our plans, we learned from one of our employees that a friend and her family, who were originally from Sedalia, live in the Houston area,” said SFCC President Dr. Joanna Anderson.
“The friend, Shannon Marino, is a 1989 Smith-Cotton graduate and a 1994 State Fair Community College graduate and works as director of Student Life for Lone Star College-Tomball. The Lone Star College system serves community college students in the northwest Houston area. We immediately contacted her because we want to help fellow community college students, staff and faculty who have been devastated by the hurricane and its aftermath.”
Wade Norton, Smith-Cotton High School principal, said students and staff members were pleased to work with SFCC and the community to meet the needs of others.
“The connections in Texas are strong," Norton said. "This helping hand couldn't happen without our student organizations. Smith-Cotton STUCO and JROTC are taking the lead, but all others will be helping to fill the semi. We hope to connect the two high schools together to pass along our support throughout this school year as they get back on their feet.”
Lone Star College-Tomball is located at 30555 Tomball Parkway, at the intersection of SH 249 and Zion Road. For more information about the college, call 281.351.3300 or visit LoneStar.edu/Tomball.
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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.