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Paula Parrish

JCC Campus Gives Back During Holiday Season

Published: December 11, 2014 Students and employees collect food, clothes, and toys for those in need.

Students and employees of Johnston Community College are generously giving back to the

community this holiday season.

Since October, numerous groups on campus initiated and coordinated drives to collect food, clothes,

and toys for those in need to show the true spirit of helping others.

Through the college's campus ministries program, JCC has participated in Samaritan's Purse

Operation Christmas Child, a campaign to bring special gifts to young girls and boys in need

worldwide in a simple shoebox. This year, the college filled more than 200 shoeboxes, more than

140 of which were donated by one student, Jennifer Pate, and her family.

The Student Government Association, TRiO students, student ambassadors, and the Rotaract Club

of JCC collected all the trimmings and provided a Thanksgiving meal for nearly 60 families in the

community.

TRiO staff and students packed over four boxes of care packages to send to active duty military

stationed overseas for Christmas. The children in the JCC Child Development Center made cards

that will be sent as well.

The basic skills program at JCC held a toy, blanket, and coat drive to benefit students currently

enrolled in their program. Thanks to generous donations from the college and J & M Auction, the

group was able to serve 55 children from 28 families.

Michelle and Jimmy Jones, owners of J & M Auction of Smithfield, and their employees donated toys

for the drive. "We are so blessed to have been a part of this, all of us in our auction family," Jones

said as she watched the students receive their wrapped gifts.

Students in the National Technical Honor Society, the Paralegal Club, and student ambassadors

collected two carloads full of non-perishables to support the Backpack Buddies program at

Micro/Pine Level Elementary School. They also collected blankets and donated them to Harbor, the

local shelter for victims of domestic violence.

Derrick Arnold, coordinator of student athletics and engagement, oversees student clubs at JCC. He

said he was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and participation in the collection drives by

JCC students and employees.

"The results were absolutely awesome," Arnold said. "Community outreach is such an important part

of leadership, and I am just JCC proud that so many of our students and employees were willing to

give of their time and resources to make the holiday season special for those in need. We look

forward to even greater success next year."

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Children’s Author Denise Fleming to Visit JCC Nov. 13

Published: October 6, 2014Johnston Community College will host children's author/illustrator Denise Fleming on Thursday, Nov. 13 at 1:30 p.m. in Room 1630 of the Public Safety Building. This event is free and open to the public.

Fleming is the author and illustrator of 20 picture books including "In the Small, Small Pond", which

earned a Caldecott Honor Award, the highest honor in children's literature. Her books have

garnered numerous additional honors and awards including: New York Public Library's List of One

Hundred titles for Reading and Sharing (eight titles); ALA Notable Children's Book (eight titles);

Publishers Weekly Best Books for children (three titles); and the list goes on.

Fleming's visit is made possible by the Johnston Community College Foundation through a generous

gift by Hugh and Nan Cullman in support of the Anne Sanderson Ogburn Children's Area. It is

sponsored by the early childhood program and the library at Johnston Community College.

Please join us for this enlightening lecture and demonstration expressing the illustrative technique

and author inspiration of Denise Fleming

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JCC Brings Health Education to Cleveland Center

Published: October 2, 2014

College adds more nursing assistant and phlebotomy classes

Johnston Community College is bringing health education classes to its Cleveland Center.

In an effort to meet the demand for more certified nursing assistants and phlebotomists, the College

spent the summer upgrading the location as a certified training site.

Because of the new location, JCC is able to offer nine additional nursing assistant classes this

upcoming year.

"We were seeing an increased need for additional health education classes so we are very excited

to offer nursing assistant and phlebotomy training at our Cleveland Center," says Linda Smith, dean

of health, wellness, and human services at JCC. "This is a very convenient location for our students

and our instructors, and it's also allowing us to serve more individuals for health-care related jobs in

the area."

"Employers in the county are very happy we've done this because they need additional staff," adds

Connie Grady, director of health education and nursing assistant programs.

Thanks to donations from Johnston Health and Johnston Medical and Surgical Supply Company,

JCC spent the summer equipping the location with appropriate lab space.

Current student Marcus Reynolds said a friend recommended nursing assistant classes at JCC and

he says the Cleveland location is convenient since he lives in Clayton.

"I've learned a ton, and I feel confident in my skills," Reynolds says. "I feel like I've been well

prepared."

Nicole Ryals agreed. "The class is seven minutes from my house," she said. "The people here are

awesome, and the teachers are great. They take extra time out to make sure you know what you

need to know."

Spring registration for health education classes will be Nov. 19 and Dec. 4 at the Public Safety

Services Building on the main campus in Smithfield. Registration for classes at the Cleveland Center

will be held Dec. 2 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Cleveland Center.

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