Salvation Army Partners with Metro Community College to ‘Build’ Christmas Spirit
When Trevor Secora was tagged in an email earlier this spring regarding a special project his Construction Technology & Building Science students at Metropolitan Community College might want to work on, he knew right way it was a good fit.
The Salvation Army of Omaha was searching for help to build two life-size gingerbread houses as part of its Angel Tree Toy Drive during November and December. The houses sit at Westroads and Oakview malls next to Angel trees to collect unwrapped toys until December 12 to hand out to kids this Christmas.
The new gingerbread houses are taking over gift-receptacle duty from a pair of smaller, less prominent wooden structures that were wearing out after years of use.
Secora said these kinds of projects don’t often come to his group, so he encourages his students to participate as a way of giving back.
“This project made perfect sense for us to participate in because not only is it a practical learning experience for our Capstone Completion Course students, but it’s a great way to do something to help the community, in this case The Salvation Army,” said Secora, program coordinator.
Secora worked with Salvation Army Assistant Director of Development John Wehrle, who sent dimensions and specifications but largely left the design and creativity up to the class.
Over the course of two weeks this summer, he and his group of 10-12 students designed and built the final products.
With this specific project, he wanted his class to have fun and be creative – a nice break from final Capstone projects that often involve installing cabinets or drywalling.
“Last year, we built five tiny houses for Sienna Francis House, which was fun, so it’s always great when students can see their work impacting the community in some way, like going to the mall and knowing you helped build something that benefits kids,” Secora said.
Once the houses were complete, they were sent offsite to be painted, and then, in early November, he and his current students helped deliver and reassemble the houses at the malls.
“Students take pride in all the work they do, but when they know something like these houses will help someone else, they put even more into it,” Secora said. “Working with organizations like The Salvation Army that do so much good in the community has improved the overall quality of our program.”