By Mialie Szymanski, Administrative Assistant to the Dean
February may feature Valentine’s Day and separately boast the title of “American Heart Month,” but before the winter holiday break in December, Kent State Trumbull students, faculty and staff shared the love from our campus community to several organizations in our local communities as well.
Forming a Forest of Flash Fellowship, multiple blue and gold trees sprouted up in the various buildings, encouraging visitors to branch out and extend a hand (or paw) to assist The Animal Welfare League sponsored by our Vet Tech program in the Technology Building Rotunda; Someplace Safe sponsored by the Diversity in Action Council and Sociology/Criminology students in the Student Union; Toys for Tots sponsored by “At Ease” in the Gelbke Library; and the Honors Program students even sponsored a dry goods and canned food drive to stock our very own Care Closet.
In just a few weeks, campus efforts collected:
- Meals for an estimated 2,000 animals plus toys, treats, leashes, blankets, bowls, peanut butter, dish soap and dryer sheets. An additional $120 in gift cards will go for unexpected shelter pet expenses.
- Paper products, bath/body/grooming gift sets with hand lotions, lip balms, nail polish, soaps, styling tools, socks, plus new for 2023 stocking stuffers for kids like candy, Hot Wheels, Bluey, action figures, LEGOS and fidget toys for those seeking a safe haven.
- 40 toys for local children to be distributed by our area Marines.
- So many pantry items that one particular professor could not open her office door which amounted to a packed trunkful of food and household items. An additional $200 in gift cards will help with extra unknowns.
“Beyond thankful for the donations,” recipients mentioned what a struggle the winter and holiday season are in particular for their respective groups and reiterated strengthening our relationship from campus to community.
Melissa Best, Program Director for Veterinary Technology, said “Supporting the AWL shelter is a win for our students, shelter personnel and all the animals they rescue!”
“Our campus is consistently kind and generous to our community partner organizations,” relayed Mary Wilson, Ph.D., Professor of Criminal Justice, citing that several of our former students and alumni have completed internships with Someplace Safe and others have gone on to work for the agency.
There are always opportunities to connect with community members and fellow Flashes, so be sure and keep a look out for them. For current examples, the Nursing department usually has a bin in the Tech Building reception area for tissues, lotions, socks, etc., and Book Buddies, which just started another cycle, is always accepting new or can-pass-for-new books for students in K-4th grades. Coming up this spring, Flashes everywhere are encouraged to take part in Flashes Give Back Week, April 15th-20th. More information on that soon!
These are just a few of the ways we continue to grow, living the motto “Flashes Take Care of Flashes,” with a goal to help our communities shine a little brighter and “leaf” a trail of kindness wherever we go.