PRESS RELEASE: OCTOBER 3, 2024

SJR State heads westbound with hurricane relief donations

GP and College employees load pallets of paper goods for Big Bend hurricane victims.

College employees organize donations for Florida College System employees/students effected by Hurricane Helene.

St. Johns River State College, together with numerous community members, collaborated this week to send truckloads of non-perishables to neighboring college communities affected by Hurricane Helene.

While SJR State and its Clay, Putnam and St. Johns County communities were spared the worst of the storm’s path, several neighboring state colleges were not as fortunate, including North Florida College and Florida Gateway College. Located near the Big Bend, the two college communities experienced vast devastation to much of its inland rural locations.

“These communities are like our own and have seen extensive damage to homes and businesses. Thousands of employees and students have been impacted by the storm and will be without power or water for quite some time,” said SJR State President Joe Pickens.

Items ranging from food and diapers to pet food were donated by college employees, students, and local organizations, including pallets of paper towels and toilet paper from Georgia-Pacific and bottled water from Niagara Bottling, Inc. The donations were loaded to three vehicles, including a truck provided by Beck Automotive Group. SJR State employees also donated $200 in cash to the area’s college foundation office to use as needed.

“I’m so very proud of our college community and local organizations for their urgency and generosity in stepping up to assist with donations and supplies,” Pickens said. “Watching those vehicles depart for Madison, Florida today is a gratifying reminder of what we can do as a community.”

Chris Gent, GP’s public affairs director, said they are proud to stand with the community in the wake of Hurricane Helene by donating more than 100 cases of toilet tissue and paper towels. “At Georgia-Pacific, we believe in supporting those in need, and we hope our contribution will provide some comfort to the victims during this challenging time," Gent said.

The third and final truck is loaded for Florida College System employees/students effected by Hurricane Helene.

Items ranging from food and diapers to pet food were donated by college employees, students, and local organizations.