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Featured photo: Brunswick Community College President Dr. Gene Smith poses with Blue Ridge Community College President Dr. Laura Leatherwood and other Blue Ridge employees in front of the Brunswick truck full of donated supplies. Photo by Benjamin Rickert
By: Benjamin Rickert, Marketing & Communications Dept.
Assistance for Western North Carolina students and families arrived from Brunswick Community College last week thanks to a week-long effort to collect donated items for hurricane victims.
Brunswick’s president, Dr. Gene Smith, drove a box truck more than six hours one-way to Blue Community College on Thursday, Oct. 17. He delivered dozens of boxes of donated items from the Brunswick community, including warm weather apparel, sleeping bags, grills, propane, food, clothing, and hygiene items.
“When you see people hurting and all the devastation, it really hits home, because the people of Brunswick County have seen it too many times,” Dr. Smith said when he arrived. “We know that the first step to recovery is to get the basics, and that’s what we have here today.”
One strategy Brunswick used to collect items was to host a Friday night concert featuring a Bee Gees cover band. Community members brought items to donate as they gathered to enjoy the music.
In addition to the donated items, Dr. Smith brought a handmade banner that read “N.C. Strong. You are in our thoughts and prayers.” The banner was created by students of the Brunswick Interagency Program, which empowers developmentally and intellectually challenged students to fully integrate into the campus community, achieve their highest potential, gain independence, actively engage in their communities, and successfully transition into the workforce.
Each student wrote a heartfelt message on the banner, such as “sending love and prayers for a quick recovery,” and “good luck on your way from the hurricane.”
Blue Ridge President Dr. Laura B. Leatherwood welcomed Dr. Smith upon his arrival, and praised his college’s efforts to assist students and families in need.
“We are profoundly thankful to Dr. Smith and the entire Brunswick Community College family for their remarkable support in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene,” said Dr. Leatherwood. “Their generosity, despite the challenges their own community faces, is a testament to the strength and solidarity within the North Carolina community college system. Their help brings hope to our students, employees, and families as we work to rebuild and recover together.”