OTC employees’ effort to help others begins at OTC

The season of giving is fast approaching and several groups at Ozarks Technical Community College are preparing to do their part to help those less fortunate.

OTC‘s Classified Staff organization is selecting up to five OTC student families who need assistance. Different campus departments will adopt the families and provides gifts, clothing, money and possibly food.

“We ask that the families provide a list of their needs so we can try to meet their requests,” said Victoria Ramey, president of the OTC Classified Staff.

Ramey, her eyes filling with tears, said the letters from those in need are hard to read.

“I’ve had a lot of loss in my life. I was an at-risk person myself. I appreciate family and people. I wish I could do more,” she said.

The families include a student who is caring for his ill elderly mother who recently had surgery. Another student is raising two children on her own and is in need of clothes for the kids.

“I feel like I’m the conduit for goodness. I try to connect those who can help with those who are in need of help,” Ramey said.

Several student groups are combining efforts to help others.

The Professional Land Care Network student organization along with the Spanish Club are collecting eyeglasses for the children of Mexico and are also gathering money and toys for Joplin residents.

Terri Howard, president of PLANET, said the glasses will be fixed before being sent to Mexico for distribution to children there.

Howard said since this is the first Christmas since the tornado hit Joplin in the spring, her group wanted to help make the holiday better with the toy and spare change collections.

“There are a lot of kids who don’t have their toys any more,” Howard said.

Steve Koehler is coordinator of media relations at Ozarks Technical Community College.