ARCHIVES
Months/Years

Campus Honor Society Exceeds Previous Contributions For Hunger
(Press Release 05-16-06)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Eastern Oklahoma State College in conjunction with the PTK nationwide Project Graduation - Feed a Body, Feed a Mind – has exceeded all previous years contributions of food and books to help alleviate hunger and illiteracy in communities across the nation.

For the fourth year during commencement exercises the Wilburton campus PTK, graduating students and their guests were asked to bring non-perishable food items and books for all ages to the graduation ceremony. Donation drop-off sites were positioned in the Student Union, Library, Mitchell Hall, Baker Hall and Sullivan Hall.

“Such a simple gesture of bringing a canned good or book to our commencement ceremony helps improve the quality of life in our community,” Eastern President Dr. Richard Bernard said.

“We are excited to have this opportunity to support the national effort and benefit our community.”

Following graduation exercises the books and caned goods were given to KEDDO’s Citizens Food Bank and a number of local elementary schools PTK sponsor Brenda Kennedy said.

“Thanks to everyone who helped with PTK’s Project Graduation we collected more items this year than any previous year. It wouldn’t have been possible without the encouragement by the faculty and staff, graduates and their guests, so thanks again for a job well done,” she said. “We collected 681 books to distribute and 1,081 non-perishable food items.

“The food is delivered to the Senior Citizens food bank in the Keddo building in downtown Wilburton. The agency brings to the ‘store’ those in need from the surrounding 10 ½ county area allowing them to ‘shop’ complete with grocery cart!

“The books were sorted by age and delivered to a dependent school last week,” Kennedy said. The teachers were asked to allow elections on a‘needs’ basis. They were very appreciative and excited.

“KEDDO’s Senior Citizens Food Bank is always in need of contributions they say.

“We are thankful to the students at Eastern and the community for assisting in this way. Together we can take positive steps to eliminate hunger and aid literacy in the Wilburton area.”

PTK students as well as graduating students and their guests have given generously in past years.

“As student leaders within our college, we are pleased to be at the helm of this initiative,” PTK President Johni Beth Gibbs said.

“We are proud to give the graduating students an opportunity to give back to the community that has supported them throughout their community college experience.

For further information please contact Eastern PTK Advisor Brenda Kennedy at 918-465-2361, ext. 745 or email at kennedy@eosc.edu.

CUTLINE:

Some of Phi Theta Kappas's new officers for 06-07 school term helped to organize and distribute the collection of children's books and non-perishable food items for this years Project Graduation. The students included, from left to right: Levi Robbins from Moyers; Amanda Wingo, Henryetta; Caroline Fairweather, Hominy and Jim Coffey, Prairie Grove,AR “This is our 4th year to take part in this campus project and this year has been the most successful one yet,” PTK sponsor Brenda Kennedy said. The local PTK chapter collected 681 children's books and 1,084 non-perishable food items. Books were given to children who show a need and do not have books in their homes for summer reading. Food items are being donated to Wilburton Senior Citizens food banks.