SEMINOLE, Fla. – Pinellas County Colleges are celebrating the 1000’s of volunteers who help and encourage college students on daily basis and one man’s dedication stands out in a giant means.
At Richard O. Jacobson Technical Excessive College in Seminole, college students are busy getting ready for the longer term and one volunteer has been strolling alongside them for years.
“I volunteered as a result of it was bred into me,” defined Vernon Bryant, Pinellas County Colleges Volunteer of the 12 months. “You already know my dad and mom have been nice volunteers. You already know, between church stuff and neighborhood stuff, and it is at all times been a ardour for me simply to be concerned, to look past myself and attempt to assist individuals.”
Bryant has been a well-recognized face right here since 2018.
“There’s an enormous pleasure in serving to others and particularly with the children, seeing them develop and mature and perceive, seeing one thing apart from there’s sheltered life,” Bryant shared.
Whether or not supporting the Work together Membership, mentoring by means of Lunch Friends or Take Inventory in Youngsters, serving on the College Advisory Council, Bryant is at all times able to assist.
“Volunteering might be loads of enjoyable and also you additionally get to satisfy loads of nice individuals as a result of it looks like those that volunteer are only a totally different breed of individuals,” Bryant acknowledged.
By the numbers:
He’s performed greater than a small function. Beneath his management, college students packaged over 20,000 meals for Rise Towards Starvation and constructed 50 beds for native youngsters in want by means of Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
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“We do not even perceive typically the influence that we will have,” mentioned Bryant. “For generations simply by spending slightly time with some children and inspiring them.”
Now, he’s not solely been named Pinellas County Colleges’ Senior Volunteer of the 12 months, he’s additionally a state finalist for Florida’s Excellent Senior Volunteer Award.
What they’re saying:
“I believe that it is nice,” mentioned pupil Liv Phillips. “I believe he is a terrific particular person and I like what he and I like what it does for our faculty and for all of the individuals round so I believe that he positively deserves it for certain.”
Scholar Oscar Beaulieu, mentioned, “Congratulations as a result of I believe that you simply actually, you deserve it since you simply have been doing loads of initiatives.”
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Dig deeper:
Throughout Nationwide Volunteer Month, Bryant reminds us all that the best influence comes from giving your time and your coronary heart.
“I simply love that we will come collectively and join in a means that simply makes life richer for me. So, I volunteer and it is… One thing everyone must do. They simply have to do it,” Bryant mentioned.
The Supply: This story was written with info gathered by FOX 13 photojournalist Bryan Grey.
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