JCC Supports Troops: 48 Care Packages Donated to USO for Soldiers

At its annual Professional Development Day (PDD) held on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, Jefferson Community College (JCC) faculty and staff prepared 48 care packages to donate to the United Service Organizations (USO) of Fort Drum. The USO’s mission is to boost morale and well-being among military service members by offering support that helps maintain their connections to loved ones and their sense of home and belonging, no matter where they deploy. 

Christopher Paige, Center Operations Manager, USO Fort Drum, stated: "The generosity Jefferson Community College has shown to the USO, combined with the time and effort from faculty and staff in assembling care packages, will have a profound impact on the morale of Fort Drum Soldiers getting ready to deploy. JCC truly emphasizes the 'community' in community college with this donation, further strengthening the bond between the college, the USO, and the Fort Drum community. Thank you, JCC!"

After a morning of activities and relay games at PDD, Jefferson employees worked as a cohesive team organizing donated items, assembling and filling boxes, and preparing them for shipment, all in a shared effort to support troops stationed overseas.

Launched in 2019, the college’s PDD was developed to provide an opportunity for faculty and staff to grow and learn, while interacting and networking with each other. The Center for Professional Excellence (CPE) at JCC organizes the event and develops the agenda for the day including the theme, presentations from faculty and staff as well as external organizations, and the community activity. The CPE team ensures a wide range of topics for all employees, from personal development and life balance to learning new ways to respond to change, manage time, as well as continued conversations about equity, inclusion, and pedagogy. 

President Daniel J. Dupee, II, remarked on the event, stating: “We are thrilled to come together as a campus community for our professional development day, not only to strengthen our skills but also to give back to those who serve our country. Supporting the USO, which provides critical assistance to our military service members and their families, aligns perfectly with Jefferson Community College’s commitment to community and service. It’s an honor to contribute to such a meaningful cause while fostering a spirit of unity and growth within our own campus.”

Learn more about USO.