To combat the cold winter months in western North Carolina, Southeastern Community College has “adopted” Blue Ridge Community College in a statewide “Adopt A College” initiative to bring warm clothes and blankets to the area. SCC’s drop-off station is beside the main stairway in A-building, and donations will be accepted through Dec. 13.  

SCC President Dr. Chris English explained that Blue Ridge Community College still had 269 students unaccounted for, and their spring enrollment is down to 28% of its normal size. The devastation of Hurricane Helene left thousands of people homeless, stranded and injured with a rising unknown death toll. The idea for “Adopt A College” came about from a meeting with English and several other N.C. community college presidents looking for ways to help hurricane victims.  

“I’d like to stress that we do not need to send canned food or water,” English said. “We are specifically focused on new warm clothes and blankets like coats, socks, long pants and long sleeve shirts.” 

English said he hopes to send a “truck load of needs” on this initial campaign. After returning from Christmas break, SCC will assess the needs again to see what is lacking for another donation collection.  

“There’s a lot of people still living in tents and will be for the next six months or so,” English said. “Those cold winter months of January and February will bring many nights down into the teens and single digit temperatures.” 

English urged the SCC faculty, staff and student body to pitch in and help where they could. He asked them to extend this invitation to their friends, family and community members. Educational Talent Search Counselor Andrea Jacobs-Rofail shared this news with her church family at St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in Myrtle Beach.  

“The adult Sunday school class at my church donated blankets, gloves, toboggans, a sleeping bag, jackets and socks,” Jacobs-Rofail said. “They were really excited because they were wanting to find ways to help out and volunteer to other families in need. They felt good knowing they could put love and thoughtfulness into helping students in higher education.” 

Jacobs-Rofail and her son, Noah, collected the items from their church and brought them to SCC to place in the collection box on Nov. 25. Since then, more items have been purchased, will be collected and brought to SCC.   

For more information, contact SCC at 910-642-7141.