By Jeanne Vaughan, Business Community Liaison

Auto II students and Ms. Scalf at Gleaning for the World

Pharmacy Tech Student and their instructor, Ms. DeMelfi

Old Dominion Job Corps Center formed a partnership with Gleaning for the World to work at the GFTW warehouse in Concord, Virginia once a month.  GFTW is renowed for the efficiency with which they run their organization.  They use 96.6 % of their donations for those in need and only .4% to run their entire operation.  In order for them to do this, they depend on organizations and individuals to volunteer to help them get the hands-on work done.  And volunteer they do!

Our students have made quite a positive impression on the staff and volunteers they have come in contact with during their time at the GFTW facility.  Their ability to organize logistically to accomplishing their work in the most efficient manner is a remarkable thing to be a part of.

We did not volunteer in July 2012 due to our students being on an extended summer break, but resumed our monthly volunteer work with GFTW in August.  Our Pharmacy Tech students and their instructor volunteered in August and our Auto Technician II class volunteered in September.  Both classes asked if they could do it again and said they really enjoyed the experience.

This collaboration is such a positive experience for our students and the staff and volunteers at Gleaning for the World.  The end result is gratifying in that we know our efforts will affect individuals who have been struck by a disaster or have an immediate need.