STCC students complete blanket project to help Ronald McDonald House of Springfield
Students hold blankets they prepared for the Ronald McDonald House of Springfield. Kneeling in front is Katerina Valentin, a graduate intern from Springfield College.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Springfield Technical Community College students delivered over two dozen fleece blankets that will help children and families at the Ronald McDonald House of Springfield.
Members of the Student Ambassador Program at STCC volunteered their time to create no-sew blankets. They cut thin strips around the perimeter of the blankets and then tied the strips together in knots, creating a decorative fringe.
The Ambassadors enlisted other STCC students who helped complete the No Sew Fleece Blanket Project. Student Ambassador Alla Rogozhina, of West Springfield, one of the organizers, said she simply wanted to help people in need. The blankets will go to 26 families with children ranging from newborn to 21 years old.
“We don’t realize how much we have and how much others may not have,” Rogozhina said. “It’s an opportunity to reach out and help. It makes us appreciate even more what we have. I didn’t know about the Ronald McDonald House and the kids who are there.”
The Ronald McDonald House at 34 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, provides a place for families to stay when their children are sick and being treated at Springfield-area medical facilities. The agency provides all the comforts of home.
I’m proud of our Student Ambassadors and the other students who lent a hand to help our neighbors in Western Massachusetts.LaRue Pierce, Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs
Katerina Valentin, a graduate intern from Springfield College who is working in the Student Activities office, said the students watched a video to learn how to create the blankets.
While the Ambassadors were tying knots to create the fringe, some students who noticed the project in progress asked if they could help.
“Once they approached the table of blankets, they were curious and learned how to tie knots,” Valentin said. “This was an exciting and fun-filled event for the STCC community. This is something we thought we could do to give back to the community.”
LaRue Pierce, assistant vice president of student affairs and dean of students, applauded the students for taking time to help others.
“We encourage our students to be good citizens and give back to the community,” Pierce said. “I’m proud of our Student Ambassadors and the other students who lent a hand to help our neighbors in Western Massachusetts.”
The blankets were delivered to the Ronald McDonald House of Springfield on Nov. 30.
About Springfield Technical Community College
Founded in 1967 and located on 35 acres of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, STCC is a major resource for the economic vitality of Western Massachusetts. As the only technical community college in Massachusetts, STCC, a designated Hispanic Serving Institution and an Achieving the Dream Leader College, offers a variety of career programs unequalled in the state. STCC’s highly regarded transfer programs in business, engineering, liberal arts, science and technology continue to provide the most economical options for students pursuing a four-year degree. With an annual enrollment of more than 7,400 day, evening, weekend and online students, STCC is a vibrant campus rich in diversity.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu