Morgan Gates
Published: September 14, 2005
On Friday, Sept. 16, the first anniversary of Hurricane Ivan, a busload of PJC faculty and students drove to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Gautier, Miss. with a truck full of supplies to contribute to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.
PJC’s relief squad, headed by President Dr. Thomas Delaino, grilled burgers and hotdogs and served picnic foods to more than 800 people on the Jackson County campus. The group also distributed non-perishable household and cleaning products.
What Delaino hoped to accomplish through the one-day effort was, “to bring a light to the students and staff at MGCCC. So many people helped us after Ivan. We are just trying to be good neighbors to them.”
Picnic food was provided by PJC, and the rest of the food was provided by the Florida Association of Community Colleges, according to Carol Quinn, association vice president-elect. Quinn said the college and the local FACC chapter collected $2,000 in donations.
The Mississippi college has been a competitor in the past, but several PJC teams sent representatives to spread good will.
“The event was very productive,” said Pirates pitcher Ryan Bergh. “The turnout was more than I expected, but everyone still had a good time.”
Allie Farrington, a catcher for the women’s softball team said, “It felt good to know I could directly help people because the hurricanes have such damaging effects on people’s lives.”
Everyone who helped said one thing was obvious – the Mississippians were so grateful for PJC coming out.
“So many people said thank you,” volleyball player Virginia Caldwell said.
Lilliana Gatica, Warrington SGA treasurer, said, “I was really surprised how many people were tired of (Meals Ready to Eat) and how some of the faculty was sleeping in their offices because their houses were gone.”
Micah Terkeurst and Jennifer Burley, nursing students at the college, were glad for some relief. School started back on Wednesday. Both have had to make adjustments to their semester because the health occupations building was damaged from Katrina.
Sonya Edwards, the Mississippi Gulf Coast student activities coordinator said the employees were grateful to have the help from PJC.
“This really helped to bring back a normal atmosphere for students. It really lifted their spirits.” Edwards said. “I just can’t thank PJC enough. It really meant a lot.”
Participants:
Faculty
Dr. Thomas Delaino
Earl Evans
Walt Winter
Paul Swanson
Shawn Davis
Brenda Pou
Mary Sackman
Sharon Ward
Carol Bradford
Butch Branch
Debbie Douma
Frances Jackson
Sandy McCarthy
Vauna Long
John Noski
Carol Quinn
Dennis Reynolds
Students:
Igor Bogonovic (Pensacola SGA, student ambassador, treasurer of History Club)
Lilliana Gatica (Warrington SGA treasurer, student activities coordinator)
April Hardeman (Warrington SGA)
Jimmie Jenkins (Pensacola SGA public relations),
Josh Simmons (Milton SGA vice president, president of History Club)
Andrius Zukauskas (men’s basketball)
Durrell Baker (men’s basketball),
Ryan Bergh (baseball)
Allie Farrington (softball),
Virginia Caldwell (volleyball),
Sean Drain (Corsair photographer)
Morgan Gates (Corsair sports editor)