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Pictured above: Following Hurricane Helene, Bladen Community College delivered donated toys to Blue Ridge Community College on Dec. 6, 2024. (Photos by Rich Keen.)
Benjamin Rickert, Marketing & Communications Dept.
To brighten the holiday season, Bladen Community College delivered a heartwarming donation of toys to Blue Ridge Community College’s student and employee distribution center on December 6, 2024. The gesture will bring joy and hope to families in Western North Carolina still recovering from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene, such as lost jobs, housing, belongings, and vehicles.
Dolly Horton, vice president of instructional services at Wilmington’s Bladen Community College, personally delivered the gifts, which were thoughtfully collected for children ranging from newborns to 16-years-olds. The donation included toys such as plush animals, sports balls, board games, toy cars and trucks, playing cards, yo-yos, and even an electric scooter.
“We thought about the students here and about the fact that a lot of them are without work,” said Horton. “They are trying to go to school and get their lives back in order, so we wanted to make sure we could help provide Christmas for their children.”
“This generous act by our friends and colleagues at Bladen Community College will bring much-needed joy and light to our College’s families this holiday season,” said Dr. Laura Leatherwood, president of Blue Ridge Community College. “We are deeply grateful for their kindness and support, which will make a meaningful difference in our community. Many thanks to each person who contributed a toy to our resource center this month.”
In preparation for the donation, Bladen Community College held a holiday luncheon, supported by their president, Dr. Amanda Lee. Employees gathered around a decorated tree and placed presents underneath it. The event included a moment to honor and remember the lives lost during the hurricane.
“We had a moment of silence for folks who were lost in the storm,” said Horton. “And we wanted to make sure we could do our part.”
This act of kindness reflected the enduring bonds between North Carolina’s 58 community colleges. Horton noted that other institutions had come to Bladen’s side following past hurricanes.
“This is what we do. We’re a community college, and we serve,” she said. “We’re all on the same journey, and we’ve got to take care of each other. We wanted you all to feel the love we have for you.”