My College Cares brings college to community

Fencing gets a fresh look thanks to the efforts of MCC volunteers during My College
Cares Day.
From weeding a community garden to power washing the entrance of a non-profit agency
to stuffing giveaway bags, Meridian Community College students, faculty, and staff
offered many helping hands during its annual My College Cares Day.
“We love the extra help,” said Robyn Stephens, executive director of Aldersgate Retirement
Community, as members of the MCC Eagles Baseball team filed in to begin their volunteer
efforts that ranged from cleaning mailboxes to replacing overhead lights to washing
rockers.
Stephens noted the retirement community is hosting a celebration soon and the My College
Cares volunteers were helping to spruce up things. “It was perfect timing,” she said.
“Participating in My College Cares is huge for us because we are a non-profit,” she
said, adding the residents enjoy interacting with the younger people who come to help.
“That just makes their day,” Stephens said.
MCC students Rayleigh Floyd, 19, and Sara Moffett, 17, both of Enterprise were excited
to be helping. “I enjoy working with the elderly,” Floyd said, noting she was a volunteer
for My College Cares in 2021.
MCC Associate Dean for Student Engagement Brandon Dewease said My College Cares 2022
was a hit. “From the volume of photos that have been sent to me of our students, faculty,
and staff, it appears to have been successful,” he said.
“We’re always looking to invest back into our community,” Dewease said. “Because we
are a community.”