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The initiative, taken on each semester as a capstone project for seniors, was started by Professor Kristen Humphrey when she joined the faculty at Pitt State in 2008.
It embraces Pitt State’s emphasis on learning by doing, she said, as well as the university’s mission of making lives better through education.
“Every semester, my students contribute to area communities in valuable ways while putting advocacy and leadership skills into practice,” Humphrey said. “The Community Project Showcase is always one of my favorite days of the semester because I love seeing the students share the results of their efforts. They’ve worked so hard and I’m very proud of them."
Heaven Jackson, a senior from Pittsburg, collected more than 234 pairs of socks for students at Pittsburg Community Middle School, beating her goal of 100 pairs. They’ll be given to children at Christmas.
Jackson coordinated the campaign from start to finish, organizing drop-off locations on campus and engaging the help of classmates to sell hot cocoa on The Oval.
Doing something to benefit children was important to her, she said — especially those living in poverty.
“That’s what I want to do in my career,” she said. “I want to help children.”
Nijah White, a senior from Independence, collected food and hygiene products for the pantry in the campus resource center located at the Overman Student Center.
“These donations are meant to help people who have aged out of foster care and are now going to school here,” she said.
Her goal was 100; she collected more than 250 in large part due to her hands-on approach of visiting local businesses, hanging flyers, sending out a news release, and making connections, she said.
White said she chose to major in social work so she could pursue a career in helping foster children.
Katie Heim, a senior from Pleasant Ridge, launched “Kicks for Kids,” an initiative aimed at giving students in rural communities a chance to choose their own pair of shoes.
Her original goal was to raise $5,000, but she surpassed it, raising $5,120, through online and cash donations, as well as fundraising at local events.
“With hitting that goal, I knew it was high and that I was taking a big risk, but I was so determined to reach that,” she said.
While Kicks for Kids is still in development, Heim, with the help of social workers, hopes to make this funding available year-round, especially around the holiday season.
“The biggest rewarding aspect is just at the end of the day, knowing that I come from such a supportive community. I am so grateful for that and knowing that I have so many people in my corner.”
Elijah Wolfe, a senior from Joplin, is planning a 5K on Dec. 13 as a fundraiser to help people who have lost personal documents. For those who are unhoused, obtaining birth certificates and social security cards can help them gain employment, housing, and hope.
The 5K will begin at 9 a.m. at the Frisco Greenway Trail in Webb City, Missouri. Details and registration: Https://linktr.ee/MissouriID
