In conjunction with efforts put forth by The Governor’s Office and SUNY, Empire State College rallied together with all of our locations to make donations to hurricane victims in the Caribbean. Collection boxes were placed in all 34 of SUNY Empire’s statewide locations. From just the Capital Region alone, an entire truckload of items was able to be donated. All of the items were delivered directly to Empire Plaza, for delivery and distribution straight to the Caribbean.
At the Cheektowaga location, the collection went even further with collection of food and other critical items collected by faculty member Rhianna Rogers, who mailed them to Puerto Rico, covering the cost herself.
The Hauppauge location, in the same building as a state collection sight, inspired more giving. Lauren Webb, the Regional Operations Coordinator for Long Island, stated, “When our staff and students found out that Hauppauge was originally a state-designated drop-off point, they immediately wanted a donation bin set up in our Old Westbury location as well. A bin was made and folks immediately started donating. Staff members volunteered to transport the donations from Old Westbury to Hauppauge for drop-off. This initiative was a tremendous display of our staff and student’s generosity and caring for those in need, and we were able to donate even more.”
This initiative came about at a time when SUNY Empire was already especially focused on the Caribbean. In late 2016, President of the college, Dr. Merodie Hancock, announced that 2016-2017 would be “The Year of the Caribbean.” All year SUNY Empire focused programs, discussion forums, and events around the Caribbean, specifically highlighting art, literature, language and cultures of the Caribbean. This came in partnership with SUNY Empire’s new relationship with The University of the West Indies.
This effort by faculty, staff, students and communities helped to raise awareness and donations across New York State for this very important cause.
30 Days of Giving 2017:
- Day 1: Shopping with a Smile
- Day 2: Erie Community College Cook-Off for Kidneys
- Day 3: Stony Brook Medicine Helps in Puerto Rico
- Day 4: A Day of Service at Onondaga CC
- Day 5: New Paltz Students Make a Difference
- Day 6: Buffalo State College Dares to Care
- Day 7: Niagara County CC Students Lend A Hand for Thanksgiving
- Day 8: Old Westbury Helps Haiti
- Day 9: A Day of Service at SUNY Potsdam
- Day 10: Helping Animals at Hudson Valley Community College
- Day 11: FIT Students Help the Homeless
- Day 12: Morrisville Athletes Go Local For Service
- Day 13: SUNY Poly Gives Back Throughout the Region
- Day 14: SUNY Oswego Honors Those Battling Ovarian Cancer
- Day 15: Brockport Students Volunteer at Thanksgiving
- Day 16: SUNY ESF Sends Acorns to Action
- Day 17: Doors Open at the Columbia-Greene Community College Giving Closet
- Day 18: Monroe Community College Helps Walk for Water
- Day 19: SUNY Cortland Supports Crop Hunger Walk
- Day 20: Making Music at Farmingdale State to Help the Hungry
- Day 21: Increasing Food Security at Dutchess Community College
- Day 22: Addressing Food Insecurity On and Around SUNY Geneseo
- Day 23: Westchester Community College Plays the UnHunger Games
- Day 24: Binghamton University Builds University Assisted Community Schools
- Day 25: Mohawk Valley Community College Gives Back To Their Community
- Day 26: SUNY Oneonta Students Help Area Children Learn
- Day 27: Rockland Community College Comes Together to Aid Puerto Rico
- Day 28: Empire State College Donates to Caribbean Relief
- Day 29: Schenectady County Community College Students Provide Support to Foster Families
- Day 30: Raising Guiding Eyes at SUNY Delhi
