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A picture is truly worth a thousand words. The pictures of the thousands of people affected by hunger and illiteracy illustrate the urgency of the war against these two social problems. Everyday, thousands of community organizations across the country struggle to maintain the resources needed to adequately fight hunger and illiteracy. With one in nine Americans unsure of where his or her next meal will come, and 11 percent of Americans unable to read, the challenges before these organizations are real. But now these organizations have a new ally, Project Graduation. Community organizations will be able to help thousands of people in need as a result of the efforts of Phi Theta Kappa members through Project Graduation. Colleges participating in Project Graduation encourage graduates, their families, and guests to bring canned goods, or other non-perishable food items, as well as books, and other educational materials, to their commencement ceremonies. These items are collected and donated to organizations in the local community. Last year 283 chapters participated nationally, amassing more than 40,000 cans of food and 23,000 books. A much greater response is expected in 2003. The Society’s International Officers have set a goal of doubling the number of participating chapters and extending a helping hand to thousands more people affected by hunger and illiteracy. “The first year response to Project Graduation was remarkable,” said Society Public Relations Director Cassius Johnson. “Our members recognize the important role they can play as servant leaders. Commencement presents the perfect opportunity to reaffirm this role by giving back to the community that supports their academic achievements.” “One of the reasons for Project Graduation’s success,” said Brandi Young, Chapter Officer Coordinator, “is its basic simplicity. Implementation of Project Graduation does not require a huge amount of time. Chapters simply get the word out to their fellow graduating classmates, designate a drop-off point, collect, then take the items to local community agencies.” As an added bonus, Project Graduation also provides chapters with a great option for fulfilling the College Project requirement in the Five Star Chapter Development Program. Many college presidents give their approval because Project Graduation demonstrates the college’s commitment to the community. Chapters have devised some creative ways to encourage participation. Some have included flyers in the cap and gown packages given to graduating students. Others placed collection boxes at graduation rehearsals and around campus the week of graduation. An Alaska chapter plans to man Project Graduation booths at area high school commencement ceremonies this year. Some regions are even asking chapters to bring food and books to their regional meetings to be distributed to agencies in the host city. Aside from food and book donations, another chapter took cash donations, which resulted in a book scholarship for students in need. “Our Phi Theta Kappa students participating in Project Graduation have translated the theory of ‘what could be done’ into ‘what can be done.’ They are making a difference in this community,” said Dr. Robert Messina, president of Burlington County College in Pemberton, New Jersey, where Project Graduation originated in 1998. A new Project Graduation website will be launched in February 2003. New this year, chapters that enroll online at www.projectgraduation.org will also receive the official Project Graduation Kit with printed promotional items. The site will also provide participating chapters access to additional downloadable promotional materials. Chapters should enroll for Project Graduation 2003 by April 30, 2003. If your chapter participated last year, please enroll again for 2003. For more information about Project Graduation, email project.graduation@ptk.org or visit www.projectgraduation.org.
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