SORRENTO —In the past two and a half months, River Parishes Community College students have raised more than $1,600 and have coordinated donations for RPCC campus improvements and for children in River Parishes communities.

Three of RPCC’s student organizations have spearheaded the outreach and fundraising efforts on campus, raising money and donating toys and time to children-focused organizations. The Future Teachers Club held a campus bake sale and raised enough money to buy books for each first-grader at St. Amant Primary School. RPCC’s Student Government Association and its Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society have partnered to collect toys for Ascension Parish fire departments so when they are called out for a fire or other emergency, they have something to take to children. All three clubs joined together to wrap almost 200 toys for children in foster and group homes this Christmas as part of Brave Heart-Children In Need Charity’s outreach.

In addition to raising money for the community, RPCC’s SGA and PTK clubs sold RPCC T-shirts and started a recycling campaign—including cell phones, ink cartridges, paper and plastic bottles—in order to raise money for a new student lounge for RPCC’s growing student population. The SGA also brought Smoothie King on campus during mid-terms and was able to raise $189 for RPCC from the smoothie sales.

All three student organizations have plans for more outreach and fundraising in the spring semester. The SGA and PTK will continue the recycling initiative. Additionally, they will be promoting organ donation through a statewide digital poster, video and song contest. They will also be working with educational and children’s charities in St. James and St. John parishes. The Future Teachers Club will continue raising funds to buy books for other area primary school students.