SJVC Rancho Cordova Respiratory Therapy students volunteer for A Partnership in Thanks

Respiratory Therapy program students at the Rancho Cordova campus answered the call once again this Thanksgiving holiday to be of service to many of those who might otherwise have little to celebrate.

26 enthusiastic students and Respiratory Therapy program instructor Jodilee Prophet were the first to show up at the church where the annual A Partnership in Thanks event was held. They were ready to set tables, decorate and prepare the food lines that would serve over 400 individuals and families without the means to prepare Thanksgiving meals for themselves.

A Partnership in Thanks is part of the Folsom Cordova Community Partnership’s (FCCP) mission to feed community families in a “strength-based spirit of celebration.” The FCCP relies on donations from businesses and individuals to make this holiday event a success. Volunteers play a key role in their response to community outreach, especially during the holidays, which can further diminish the spirits of those in need.

Everyone who received an invitation to this holiday meal was a past recipient of the FCCP’s assistance with such challenges as job search, child care, housing, or basic food needs.

“There were multiple generations and brand-new babies who appreciated a great meal and a dry place to enjoy it,” says Jodilee.

The traditional Thanksgiving meal of turkey, dressing, many side dishes and desserts was served in two sittings that began at 10:00 a.m. and ended at 2:30 p.m. Each guest also received a raffle ticket for a drawing to win a complete turkey dinner, announced at each of the two meal services. Volunteers were kept busy serving food, replenishing beverages and cleaning up between sittings.

SJVC’s Respiratory Therapy students have volunteered for this event for the last several years, and always come away with a feeling of well-spent service to their community. “This event is an excellent example of the core beliefs of San Joaquin Valley College,” says Jodilee. “Students see first-hand the community they serve, and the community is blessed for their giving.”

At the end of the day, SJVC students broke down the room, put decorations away and left the room as clean and empty as it was when they arrived. They left tired, but uplifted, in the realization of what it means to be a part of something that provides to those less fortunate.

Those generous students included Karen Carandang, David Macko, Tiffany Protasovitskiy, Josh Steenburgh, Kayla Page, Antonio Rogers, Inna Prokopchuk, Shawn Dillion, Maksim Fedchik, Fanny Amian, Tracey Joyal, Benny Bains, Camille Castaneda, Olga Lankin, Matt Cray, Amneek Sandhu, Danielle Faver-Loughmiller, Tareyn Kay, Franz Lewis, Adam Moncrief, Roman Pospelov, Eric Robinson, Alex Roddenbery, Jacob Conti, Katelynn Eichlin and Mikita Sidarevich.

The Rancho Cordova Respiratory Therapy program is pleased to continue to make Partnership in Thanks one of its annual traditions.