The good work and learning of students in Hesston College’s Disaster Management Program was rewarded with a $6,000 contribution to the Disaster Management Scholarship Fund from Good Charity, Inc.’s Disaster Relief and Aid Fund.
The gift will provide two $3,000 scholarships for students in the Disaster Management Program for the 2013-14 year.
Good Charity is a non-profit organization based in Southfield, Mich., that offers financial help to projects and organizations that benefit the community and the nation. Their support reaches to various causes with the hope of providing assistance to many in need. For more information, visit goodcharityinc.org.
“Dealing with natural disasters takes advanced preparation, training, strategy and responsiveness,” said Brian Maiorana, president of Good Charity. “Hesston College’s Disaster Management Program prepares young men and women for these challenges. Supporting students who will be our future first responders in this way is something we are very proud of.”
The Hesston College Disaster Management Program prepares graduates for a career in the non-profit or public sector of disaster response, relief and recovery. The program was started in 2005 in partnership with Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS), a bi-national organization that serves survivors of natural disasters. Students in the program receive classroom training for disaster response management as well as hands-on experience through summer field experience placements with MDS and other relief organizations and service trips throughout the school year.
Projects have included cleanup from the 2007 Greensburg, Kan., and 2011 Joplin, Mo., tornadoes and the 2011 Minot, N.D., flooding, repairing and rebuilding homes on the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina, as well as efforts following fires and other events.
“This gift from Good Charity, as well as donations from many other individuals, businesses and foundations, shows tremendous support for the students in the program and in their future service to others,” said Russ Gaeddert, Disaster Management program director.
About 14 Hesston College students will be enrolled in the Disaster Management program during the 2013-14 year. In the program’s eight years, 48 students have graduated from the program.