While part of the nation has been devastated by hurricanes, tragedies continue to happen within the Bakersfield College community, and response has been “overwhelming and supportive.”
Those are the words from Debra Strong, BC’s registered nurse. On Sept. 12, Strong received a call while she was at Bakersfield High School’s “Back to School Night.” Her son, Vernon Strong, 16, had just been involved in a tragic accident and was in a coma.
As soon as Jill Thompson, BC administrative secretary, heard what had happened, she decided to coordinate a type of relief for the Strong family.
“I wanted to go outside the box and coordinate some type of aid that would help Debby,” Thompson said.
Don Turney, dean of students, also became aware of the tragedy and began to think of ways in which he could bring the BC community together to aid the Strong family.
“Our BC staff is like our family,” Turney said. “When someone is in need, we pull together.”
Thompson came up with the idea to collect money or gift cards for local restaurants. “I thought they’d be in and out of the hospital so I figured gift cards for restaurants would be a great help to them,” Thompson said.
Overall, $240 was collected in cash, coupons and gift cards. “I sent an e-mail through the BC e-mail system on Thursday, and within hours I received donations from students and faculty,” Thompson said. “It has to do with that Golden Empire spirit within the Kern County community and the BC community.”
Turney said BC’s response was “tremendous, as usual.”
Vernon Strong was taken to Kern Medical Center, according to Debra Strong. “KMC has the best trauma unit available,” she said.
Vernon is a member of the Bakersfield High football team and his position is the wide receiver. His family was notified recently that the National Youth Leadership Forum on Technology nominated him for a leadership award due to his participation in the Reserve Officer Training Corps for the Junior Air Force.
As of Oct. 3, Vernon is officially out of a coma, and is able to grasp things and is “responding to commands”, said Strong “It has been a day by day progression, and I have been witness to how good God is.”
Vernon is currently at HealthSouth Bakersfield Rehabilitation in Bakersfield where he is being given, “total rehabilitation” said Strong.
Overall, Turney said that there is “a lot of hope for Vernon’s recovery.”
Donations for the Strong family are still being accepted in the Student Activities office in Campus Center 4. Thompson is also still receiving donations in her office at A6, and appreciates the BC family’s effort. “I would just like to thank everyone who contributed,” said Thompson.
Another BC member in need is Michelle Hutchins who is a worker in the infant toddler center at BC. She was burned out of her home on Sept. 13 and has two teenage daughters who attend North High. The youngest at age 15 has Down syndrome. Hutchins was left with virtually nothing. “I barely had time to grab my purse and run out bare footed,” said Hutchins
Don Clark, BC’s Marketing and Public Relation’s Director sent out an e-mail on Sept. 15 asking faculty and classified staff members for donations in the name of Hutchins. Over all more than $550 was received in cash and gift cards. “I used one of the gift cards to buy an air mattress for my girls,” said Hutchins. The donations came from various staff members and parents of the children at the BC day care, and students.
With regards to BC’s response in her time of need, Hutchins said, “I’m so lucky to work here at BC, the people here are so amazing and I appreciate everything and anything everyone has done fore me.”
Currently Hutchins is living with her mother and two daughters, but has found an apartment and is looking into the possibility of moving in sometime this week. “This is just one more thing to get through, and I’m just taking it one day at a time”, said Hutchins, “you don’t realize how luxurious hot water and PG&E is until you don’t have it.”
The fire is believed to have been Arson, and Hutchins has not been notified of any arrests, her original apartment is being rebuilt and it will take about four months.
Overall Hutchins is very grateful, “I would like to give a special thanks to Don Clark, Mike Ivey and, Diane Sousa, for all their help, and to everyone who helped me out.”
Donations are being accepted in the day care center’s administration office, behind the FACE building.