The College of Charleston’s Living and Learning Communities have again stepped up to help the Charleston community – this time collecting 80 backpacks stuffed with supplies for abused and neglected children. The “Backpack Blitz” ended April 25 with nearly 300 students collecting supplies or money to present at a celebration on campus.
During the celebration, the backpacks were given to HALOS, an organization that provides resources and special opportunities to abused and neglected children and their caregivers through partnerships with faith-based and other community organizations. The Charleston Riverdogs also donated hats and four game tickets for each backpack.
“We expect our student residents to be actively engaged in their surrounding community,” said Dr. Bruce Fleming, director of the Living and Learning Communities at the College of Charleston. “By working closely with HALOS and the Charleston Riverdogs on this project, students to further their involvement with the local community and it allows students an opportunity to use their leadership and organizational skills to improve the lives of children in Charleston County.”
Last semester, the Living and Learning Communities donated $2,000 to HALOS to provide holiday gifts as well as about 150 teddy bears for Debi’s Kids.
Living/Learning Communities at the College of Charleston were launched in 2008 and 2010 was the first year that McConnell Residence Hall was composed entirely of Living/Learning Communities. A main goal of the Communities is to support all ages of residents in their extra-curricular learning with themed academic and social programming that helps students develop relationships with each other and faculty, helping them learn critical skills like studying, coping and critical thinking, and to engage the students in the life of the campus and community.
For more information, contact Bruce Fleming at 843.953.6310 or FlemingW@cofc.edu.
