Do something wonderful this holiday season

MHCC’s “Something Wonderful” Project 2012 is asking for staff, students, and those in the East County Community to be a part of the effort to help less fortunate families during this holiday season.

The “Something Wonderful” Project is a non-profit organization that has been in existence since 1994. Over the course of the 18 years, there have been approximately 900 families helped through the program.

In working with MHCC staff, students, and people in the community, the “Something Wonderful” project was able to continue to purchase winter clothes, holiday meals, toys and household items for many families.

The “Something Wonderful” project selects families through the applications they receive. The goal every year is to help about 40 families, but this year they are striving to help “about 60-80 families,” said Rich Duval, Project YESS Manager of Youth Workforce. Duval said one of the main ways people know about the project “is through word of mouth.”

The “Something Wonderful” project has had many success stories, “families that I’ve helped in the past have done well, finished college, [busy] with family and came back to me and wanted to give back,” Duval said.

“It’s like pay it forward,” he added. MHCC students who want to volunteer and “adopt” a family can get involved through a MHCC club or by contacting MHCC’s Student Union.

Those who want to apply for help can submit an application to Rich Duval, Project YESS Manager of Youth Workforce in AC49 (lower level of the Student Union) or apply to Administrative Assistant Katrina McNeal at the Business and Information Systems, Room 2655. There is no guarantee of families being selected after submission. Applications forms are available in the Student Union Office. Deadline for applications is Nov. 13 by 5 p.m. Families will be contacted within 2-3 weeks of submission.

For more information about the “Something Wonderful” project, contact Katrina McNeal at [email protected] or call 503-491-7515. Rich Duval can be contacted at [email protected] or call 503-491-7641.