May 13, 2010

REP. THOMPSON INSPIRES STUDENT AT
MCC TO COLLECT HYGIENE ITEMS FOR HOMELESS

Rep. John Thompson (D-Manchester) presented a citation Thursday to Jared Luce, a Manchester Community College student who led a donation drive at the college to benefit the homeless.

About 500 personal hygiene items collected during the recent drive were given to the homeless during the ceremony and press conference Thursday at the Good Samaritan Shelter on Main Street in Manchester.

Inspired by Rep. Thompson's towel drive for the homeless in February at the state capital, Luce, a former Marine, decided to lead a donation effort for the homeless as part of class project last month at the college.

Luce of Coventry also was a legislative intern for Rep. Ted C. Graziani (D-Ellington) in the recently adjourned General Assembly session while attending classes at the college.

"I may have inspired Jared to lead this effort for the homeless at MCC, but Jared is really an inspiration for all of us," Thompson said. "We should all be proud of what this young man has done."

Rep. Graziani, House chairman of the Select Committee on Veterans' Affairs, also praised Luce.

"Jared was assigned as my intern this year due to our mutual interest in helping the veterans' community. I was impressed by his capabilities, his attitude and his devotion to helping those who previously served - and those currently serving - our country," Graziani said.

"I'm really proud of the students and the effort they put forward for the homeless," Rep. Jason Rojas (D-Manchester, Glastonbury, East Hartford) said.

The Good Samaritan Shelter is run by the Manchester Area Conference of Churches.

Jared Luce (center), a student at Manchester Community College, receives a Legislative Citation for his efforts in benefitting the homeless from Rep. John Thompson (left). Also shown (right of Thompson) are Rep. Jason Rojas, Geoff Luxenberg, development officer for Manchester Area Conference of Churches, and Susan Barzottini, assistant professor at MCC.