MCC’s My College Cares gives back to the community
MCCers make their way into the community by volunteering to lend a helping hand.
Meridian Community College reached out to the community, making a positive impact with its volunteer endeavor, My College Cares.
From reading to children, collecting trash, designing sets, painting murals, and planting gardens to performing music for retirement home residents, My College Cares Day volunteers - including students, faculty, staff, and administrators - engaged in various service activities.
According to Marion Whiting, MCC's director of housing and student activities and chair of the My College Cares Committee, the event continues to grow and makes a difference. "My College Cares Day allows students to connect with the community in meaningful ways while learning the value of service," she said.
For My College Cares Day 2024, there were more than 850 volunteers, including the team captains.
"It's a day that reinforces the importance of giving back and strengthens the bond between MCC and the people we serve," Whiting added.
MCC alumnus James Carter, the founder of the Carter Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire youth and bring unity to the community by educating, motivating, and elevating, was excited to see the MCC volunteers again this year. They were assisting in the set up of the foundation's haunted house. "Last year, the MCC soccer team helped, and it influenced others to get involved," he said, praising the College's participation in the community.
Carter, who remembered when he was a student and joined My College Cares Day, said, "It shows that youth should get involved in the community. And while giving back, you can get your education," he added.
Jay Carter, a current MCC Utility Lineman Program student, was among the volunteers. "It's always good to help the community," he said as he and his classmates cut overgrown oaks at St. Patrick Catholic School's playground. "Today was something different than what we do in the classroom. We made sure everyone was safe and doing everything we could."
Watching as the MCC volunteers saw and pull tree limbs, Helen Reynolds, development director at the school, said their work was a big help – and it helped ease the financial burden of trimming the trees.
For more information, visit meridiancc.edu.