News Article

Edison State students reach out to Bonita Springs flood victims

Sep 9, 2008

Fort Myers, Fl. (September 9, 2008) --- College students are generally known for not having two nickels to rub together, but at Edison State College, that doesn’t stop them from reaching out and helping those less fortunate.  

To kick off the new school year, Edison State College Lee campus students traded book bags for grocery bags filled with canned goods, diapers, baby clothing and other supplies for the Salvation Army and victims of the recent Bonita Springs flooding. 

As part of the back-to-school activities coordinated by freshman students in Project Hope, along with support from the Student Government Association, the project was enthusiastically embraced by students as demonstrated by the overflowing bins of donated items. 

“We believe giving back to our community is part of our responsibility as college students,” stated Guichard Jean-Louis, Project Hope freshman class president.  “We know when the flooding hit in Bonita Springs, many of the families had to leave their homes with nothing more than the shirts on their backs.  We wanted to do what we could to help those families.”

Project Hope (Helping One Person Excel), launched in 1993, offers social and educational support for students to be successful and complete their college education.  To date, nearly 1,000 HOPE scholars have graduated from Edison State College, with many continuing their education and earning baccalaureate degrees.

Edison State College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate degrees, associate degrees and certificates.  Over 17,000 credit seeking students are served annually through full service campuses in Punta Gorda, Fort Myers, and Naples, outreach centers in LaBelle and Clewiston and through Edison Online. 

Additional information may be obtained through the college website, www.edison.edu,

# # # # #

Media contact:  Pamela L. Nulman, APR

Office ph:  239.489.1207

Cell ph:  239.405.0196

Email:  pnulman@edison.edu

Last Updated: September 9, 2008