MCCC Raises $10K For Houston College Hit Hard By Hurricane Harvey

WEST WINDSOR, NJ — Students, faculty, and staff at Mercer County Community College recently raised $10,000 to help their counterparts at Lone Star College-University Park in Houston in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, according to college officials.

“Just as the nation rushed to our shores in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, it was our turn to give back, and the Mercer college community stepped up to the challenge,” Mercer County Community College President Dr. Jianping Wang said. “I am so very honored to part of the Mercer family.”

Wang was looking for a way to help following the massive devastation in Southeast Texas, and appealed to college students and employees. The response was overwhelming, and the college ultimately decided to “adopt” a sister community college in the region – Lone Star College – as a focus for its relief efforts.

“Students at Lone Star lost books, computers, cars, even their homes, and just like students at MCCC, many were facing substantial challenges just to pursue a college degree,” Wang said. “And we learned, almost immediately, our college community was eager to help.”

Within hours, Mercer County Community College students launched a social media campaign, adopting hashtags that included #CommunityCollegeStrong and sending #MercerLove as a means to increase awareness.

“MercerGram” selfies were posted to social media sites featuring students, faculty, and staff, with collection boxes placed throughout the college’s West Windsor and James Kerney campuses.

Additionally, dozens of student organizations dedicated the Fall 2017 Club Day to raising funds for Lone Star. More than $4,000 was raised through individual donations, which was matched by MCCC to bring the total to $10,000. Lone Star reports 49 students, employees, and their families benefited from the donations.

“Our heartfelt thanks go to the students of Mercer County Community College for their generosity during this recovery process,” LSC-University Park President Shah Ardalan said. “They are an example of what it means to be a community, even across the country. We are proud to be a part of a network of community colleges that work to support one another in difficult times.

“Though many states separate our campuses, we are grateful nothing stands between our shared sense of community. We hope one day we can ‘pay it forward’ and expand the tradition that Mercer County Community College has established.”

The attached images were provided by Mercer County Community College:

Main image: Lone Star College-University Park students thanked Mercer County Community College students for sending help to those impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

Below image: MCCC Student Government leaders were key ambassadors in the fundraising effort for Lone Star College in Houston. Pictured inside the frame, bottom row from left, Carly Layton, Jennifer Zuniga, and Jenn Eng; top row, from left, Joe Giambelluca, Anthony Borek, William Wright, and Alex Villepontoux. Holding the frame is Noah Barringer.