College students receive care packages from home

Jacksonville College students, Corey Smith and Megan Cumbee, pick up their care packages from home during midterm exam week.

Following chapel on March 3, the first day of midterm exams, many Jacksonville College students were surprised to receive a care package from home. Each gift basket was full of goodies wrapped in cellophane and decorated with a bright bow and a balloon.

Jacksonville College faculty, staff, the sophomore class and the student government association worked with the parents of current students to provide the surprise baskets full of snacks and treats.

Jacksonville College parents were informed by mail of the opportunity to send a care package to their child earlier this semester. They were also able to include a card of encouragement. Mandy Teer, a freshman from Sulphur Springs, said, "During midterm exam week it was nice to feel loved, knowing that my parents cared enough to send me and my sister a card and a special basket of fresh fruit and healthy energy snacks to help us do well on our midterm exams." Megan Cumbee said her card read, "Here is your nice gift, now do your part and study hard!"

All foreign students also received a care basket paid by donations from the faculty and staff. Kutemba Lubasi, an international student from Lusaka, Zambia, was surprised to receive a care package from home. She explained, "I am so far away from home. So it was very nice and thoughtful. It made me feel like someone really cared. am a very complicated person when it comes to what foods I like. It was amazing that my basket had everything enjoy. The basket had fresh fruits (apples, oranges, and bananas), nuts, and juices. It was as if someone from home packed what I liked. I really appreciate the fact that someone cared enough to make a basket that fit my likes. There was even a card inside addressed to me with an encouraging note. It made my day."

Jacksonville College is one of only a few colleges that have midterm exams and also provide students with a midterm report of their academic progress in all their classes. Ms. Teer noted, "If you are doing badly in a course, you have time to correct your grade and bring it up. Since I am still a dependent, my parents receive a copy of my midterm grades, so it definitely provides me the needed motivation to do my best." Kutemba also appreciates receiving a midterm grade report in her college mailbox. "Midterm reports help me realize where I need to pull up my grades," she said, "and it motivates me not to relax and keep it up."

The sophomore class and student government association planned the care packages from home as a fundraiser to help pay for this year's spring banquet. They were surprised at the number of caring parents, faculty, and staff who participated in making the fundraiser such a success.