March 4, 2004

AC businesses join Cowley students, staff on lifesaver of a project

From left, Jimmy Shelite, Social Science Instructor Cathy Hendricks and Shonda Kelley pack bags of candy for Iraq.

Project Lifesavers is on its way, literally.

Jason Parson, a Cowley County Community College sophomore and member of the U.S. Army National Guard stationed in Iraq, formally requested that Lifesavers and ink pens be sent.

College students and personnel obliged.

Cathy Hendricks, a Social Science Department instructor and one of Parson's former teachers, was determined to fulfill his request. With the help of students, faculty, staff, and stores within Arkansas City, Parson's request has been granted.

Hendricks sent more than 150 letters for the 443rd Transportation Division. Cowley student, John Irving, contributed 30 letters. Many students, faculty, and staff also wrote letters.

This project accumulated more than 100 pounds of candy. The Arkansas City Country Mart donated 70 bags of Lifesavers. Phi Theta Kappa and Wal-Mart donated $20 worth of candy. Graves Drug Store donated $5 worth of candy, while Dillons donated nine pounds.

Cowley Students Kayla Strange and Doug Dillner were responsible for collecting the donations around town. They played a major role in the success of the project.

Other donations included 150 ink pens provided by the college's Public Relations office, and Business and Service Technology instructor Larry Schwintz and Social Science Department Secretary Wanda Shepherd donated disposable digital cameras. The college paid for the postage.

In a most recent e-mail from Parson to Hendricks, Parson wrote, "The only thing I can say is how good the people at Cowley make a person feel."