March 1, 2019
The first ever EC Cares for our Community day, a time when East Central Community College faculty, staff, and students will give back to the communities in the college’s five-county district of Leake, Neshoba, Newton, Scott and Winston counties, will be held Friday, March 8, 2019.
The project, which the college hopes will become an annual day of service, originated among members of the college’s Administration, Faculty and Staff Association (AFSA). More than 100 people have already signed up to volunteer for various service projects at locations throughout the district.
“Community Partnerships is one of five institutional commitments of our 2020 Vision strategic plan at East Central Community College,” said Dr. Billy Stewart, ECCC president. “When the idea was proposed to choose a day and allow our faculty, staff, and students to volunteer in the communities of our district, we knew that it was a great way to not only meet that strategic initiative, but to give back to and engage the people in our communities as well. Although no one is required to participate, members of our campus community were given the opportunity to volunteer for a half-day of service, and we were excited at the number of people who were willing to give of their time and effort to serve others.”
Service locations for the first EC Cares for the Community day include Roxy Theatre in Newton, Newton County Courthouse in Decatur, EXCEL of Morton, We Care Missions in Morton, Northside Park in Philadelphia, Philadelphia/Neshoba County Library, Trend Health and Rehab of Carthage, Walnut Grove Public Library, Carthage Public Library, and Hope Missions and Baptist Children’s Village, both in Louisville.
Service activities will include cleaning and organizing, painting, landscaping, carpentry, shelving books, office work, and playing games and interacting with residents, among other requested tasks.
