Many students at Clackamas Community College need help providing for their children and families. Associated Student Government is intervening with several programs to lend a hand.

Gifts

ASG sponsors The Giving Tree each Christmas season to help students who need help buying presents for their children under 13. Students fill out a short application to qualify.

Cody Havens, of ASG Grants, said, “We cut down the tree that was donated on Nov. 13.”

Ruby Ramirez, ASG vice president, circulated around campus looking for people to adopt a child from The Giving Tree. As of Nov. 24, there are no names left. Gifts need to be delivered to the ASG office in the community center between Dec. 7 and Dec. 9.

Food

Other students on campus need help with food. ASG is sponsoring Hunger Awareness with a slogan of “Knock out Hunger!” The food drive is an ongoing event to supply the Cougar Cave.

“I want to make a difference, so we don’t have students going hungry,” said Jeannine Lancey of ASG. Lancey is passionate about the “Knock out Hunger” program because of her past history with a lack of food as a youngster.

The goal is to obtain 1,000 cans of food for the Cougar Cave, an office space in the community center where students can get food and clothing.

Thanksgiving dinner

For veterans and their families looking for a warm meal on Thanksgiving, the CCC Veterans Club and the Veterans of Foreign
Wars (VFW) Post 1324 and Post 4248 are coming together to provide a belated Thanksgiving dinner for all veterans and their families. The dinner will be Saturday, Nov. 28, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. For directions and more information, contact the CCC Veterans Center or call Post 4248 at 503-774-8402.

Clothing

CCC teamed up with Clackamas Fire District No. 1 for the Winter Warming Drive. A barrel was set up on campus to collect charitable donations of hats, gloves, scarves and coats.

Steve Hoffeditz, public information officer for the Clackamas Fire District, said, “Clothing is donated to Clackamas Service Center at 82nd Ave. and Johnson Creek in Happy Valley. Also, Feed the Hungry, Inc. receives some clothing. There is not
any special consideration required to receive a donation.”

People who are homeless, just down on their luck or in need of warm clothing for the winter months receive assistance. Feed the Hungry, Inc. provides a Sunday meal provided by various groups and agencies. Karen Straits, CFD Holiday Event Chairwoman, said, “Clackamas Fire District No. 1 provides one of the meals in December, so we take the gifts with us and whoever is there may select one.”

Holiday party

The annual holiday party sponsored by ASG will be Thursday, Dec. 10, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Those who wish to participate are asked to bring two cans of food, but the event is free. There will be numerous entertaining events. This is a great opportunity to bring your family and friends out for a fun time.

The holiday season is a time for giving and receiving. You may be able to make a difference in the lives of someone else or if you need to receive assistance, the programs may be able to make a difference in your life. If you would like to donate to any of these causes, contact ASG at 503-594-3932. These programs are strictly non-profit and are available to anybody needing assistance.

Student Brenda Madrigal takes a few cans from the director of student leadership, John Ginsburg, to help “knock out hunger.”

Photo by Austin Boltz