Where Angels Wear Jeans
At this time of year, we’re often reminded of the abundant generosity of our MCC colleagues. The collective efforts of the Controller’s Operation is just one shining example – an example that began six years ago with a single person.
In 2013, Donna Burley, then a Controller’s Operation employee, was donating to Andrews Center, a special service home providing 24-hour care for children who cannot be placed in regular foster care due to their multiple needs. When she asked MCC Controller Mike Quinn if she could expand her charitable efforts to include Controller’s Operation colleagues, he didn’t hesitate. That’s how the initial “Angel Tree” began. Donna received a wish list for each Andrews Center child and the money employees donated each week by wearing jeans on Fridays, generally about $500 a year, was used to buy the children’s wish list items.
When Donna transferred to Business Administration, her Controller’s colleagues decided to continue the tradition – but they wanted their effort to somehow benefit our students. Jennifer Caruso, Advisory Board member of the Guon Child Care Center, recognized a need there, especially around the holidays. This year, Child Care Center Director Anne Barker will provide a list of needed items, employee volunteers will make the purchases and the Child Care Center will distribute them to multiple families.
Jeans-wearing employees have donated approximately $700 to help make the new year a little brighter for the tiniest members of the college community. According to Anne, “For many years the child care center has “helped” with holiday shopping for our student families in need. Due to the high number of families in need, the Controller’s Operation is helping with the project this year. It means so much to the student parents to receive these gifts for their children and to see the delight when the children open their presents.”
Many MCC offices spearhead a wide variety of efforts to make the holiday season a little brighter for people throughout the Rochester region. Please look for these in the "Lend a Helping Hand" section of the MCC Daily Tribune--and help when and where you can.
