My birthday wish: Help students in need.

I teach at a community college.

I have students who are still in high school taking dual credit classes to get a head start on college, and I have students in their 70s.

At my college, we have kids overcoming every possible obstacle to maintain grades to stay in school. We have multiple first-generation college students. We have single mothers and, yes, even some single dads. I’ve had students who have been on the wrong side of the law and are now getting their lives back on track. I have students experiencing food insecurity. I‘ve had students with substance addictions who are now clean. I have even had students dealing with PTSD.

During this pandemic my students have become my absolute heroes. When campus closed and classes moved online, many students were forced to drive to the nearest outpost with WiFi connectivity since they lived in rural areas without broadband connection. Yet still they engaged in their coursework.

My college—Ivy Tech Community College—works very hard to help ALL our students. We have a food pantry, a clothing exchange, and even a snack post where hungry students can get something to eat between classes. We offer free tutoring, career coaching and help students access mental and behavioral health counseling. We also have a fund for our students' emergency needs – like a dead battery, flat tire or medical costs.

I’m trying to paint a picture for you and here’s why.

My birthday is July 4. I know many of you use social media on similar occasions to ask friends and acquaintances to contribute to one of your causes.

Here’s my ask. My cause for my birthday is the students at Ivy Tech Community College in Bloomington, Indiana. Please consider making a contribution of $25, or $50 or more or less—whatever you can afford—to our emergency fund. I guarantee the college Foundation will appropriately marshal your gift.

Thank you and please know how much I appreciate your well-wishes for my birthday and especially what your gift will do for our students in need of that extra assistance your donation will afford.