September 12, 2017 Melissa Lamar

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Tunxis Community College has donated $4,508 to Americares to aid in Hurricane Harvey relief efforts in Texas, as the state continues to recover from widespread destruction and catastrophic flooding.

“It is heartening to witness our college community rallying together to support the hundreds of thousands of people who have lost so much in this devastation,” said Dr. James Lombella, Interim President of Tunxis Community College.

Right to left: Kirk Peters, Ed.D., Tunxis dean of student affairs, is shown with Tunxis Student Government representative Thomas Palanza, of East Hartford, who rode next to Peters for part of the fundraiser.

Funds for the donation are the result of a Spin-a-thon fundraiser held on September 5, organized by Kirk Peters, Ed.D, Tunxis dean of student affairs. Tunxis students, faculty and staff donated $2,254 as Peters rode a stationary spinning bike at the college for eight continuous hours, accompanied by other riders for portions of the time on a second bike. Tunxis Student Government Association matched the donations, bringing the total over $4,500.

“Hosting a spin-a-thon seemed like a great opportunity to show our students the importance of civic engagement and getting involved in helping this cause,” said Peters. “It was also important to find a charity that our community could have confidence in, with the majority of funds going directly to victims of the devastation,” he continued. “Upon receipt of our donation, Americares will send at least 97% of that directly to Harvey-related causes.”

Tunxis offers opportunities to engage in service through a diverse range of course work, student club projects and alternative break trips that engage students annually in service to local, state, national and international communities. Over the years, projects have included providing dental hygiene services for uninsured Connecticut residents, several Native American reservations, and South American populations without access to dental care; enlisting as mentor-tutors in the Bristol Public Schools, volunteering for Hands on Hartford’s Peter’s Retreat program, in which students cook and serve meals from their food donations for homeless men and women living with HIV/AIDS; and volunteering at Imagine Nation Museum and Urban Oaks Organic Farm.

Located in Farmington, Tunxis offers over 60 associate degrees and certificates, providing critical thinking and problem-solving skills that prepare students for transfer to bachelor’s degree programs and employment in areas with industry need. For more on Tunxis programs, please call 860.773.1490, or visit the Tunxis website at tunxis.edu.