SGTC PBL Celebrates Season of Giving Success with Partnering Organizations

March 31, 2020
Pictured from left to right: Major Kyle Selph, Sumter County Sheriff’s Office; Chief Jerry Harmon, Sumter County Fire and Rescue; PBL’s Heather Hinton, Kenyatta Slaughter, Gwendolyn Coley, and Ashley Halstead; Sabrina Rueda, Fire Safety/Life Safety Educator, Sumter County Fire and Rescue; and Col. Eric Bryant, Chief Deputy, Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
Pictured from left to right: Major Kyle Selph, Sumter County Sheriff’s Office; Chief Jerry Harmon, Sumter County Fire and Rescue; PBL’s Heather Hinton, Kenyatta Slaughter, Gwendolyn Coley, and Ashley Halstead; Sabrina Rueda, Fire Safety/Life Safety Educator, Sumter County Fire and Rescue; and Col. Eric Bryant, Chief Deputy, Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.

Before South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) closed its campuses in response to concerns about the COVID-19 virus, the Americus Campus Chapter of Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) at SGTC completed its 6th Annual Season of Giving initiative.

The effort involved four simultaneous drives: a non-perishable food drive, a trauma bear drive, a toy drive, and a March of Dimes fundraising drive.

This year PBL partnered with several regional organizations to expand efforts and maximize impact.

Partners included: PharmaCentra, LLC – (Coordinators: Kim Christmas and PBL Alum Kia Mable); Georgia Southwestern State University’s Student African American Brotherhood – (Coordinator: Dr. Alma Keita); Americus Sumter High School South Campus Future Business Leaders of America – (Coordinators: Pamela Harvey and Kristan Price); Webster County High School Future Business Leaders of America – (Coordinators: Dr. Dorothy Ingram and Michael Baker); Webster County Family Connections – (Coordinator: Elaine Nealy); and the SGTC Crisp County Center Student Government Association and National Technical Honor Society – (Coordinator: Katrice Taylor).

In all, the effort yielded 903 items, including 418 food items, 422 trauma bears, 63 toys for children as well as a $1540.51 donation to the March of Dimes.

Americus-area food items were donated to the Harvest of Hope, toys were provided to Sumter County Department of Family & Children Services (DFACS) and trauma bears were distributed to the Americus Police Department, Sumter Fire & Rescue, Sumter EMS, and the Sumter County Sheriff’s office.

Cordele-area items were donated to the Concerned Citizens Who Care, Crisp EMT services, and the local Adopt an Angel Program.

Through partnership, prior years’ contributions have more than tripled.

Since its inception, the Season of Giving effort has contributed a total of 5,482 items to benefit those in need and $1540.51 to the March of Dimes.

SGTC PBL is grateful to all who participated to make such a positive impact on so many lives.