GILROY
– A group of six Gavilan students, who called themselves,
”
Operation Fire Prevention,
”
have made a difference in the community through their small
group communications class project.
GILROY – A group of six Gavilan students, who called themselves, “Operation Fire Prevention,” have made a difference in the community through their small group communications class project.
The students, Jesse Guerrero, Mike Cameron, Melanie Stutler, Lisa Silva, Valerie Cornaggia and Michael Ham, raised nearly $3,500 to help support the Fire Education program for the Gilroy Fire Department.
The students exceeded their $1,000 goal by hosting a tri-tip dinner, selling raffle tickets and T-shirts. Raffle prizes and donations also were received from local businesses.
Gavilan Instructor Denise Besson-Silvia assigned a project called “Making a Difference” to the students in her communication class. The groups consisted of six students each, who joined together two months ago to develop a project that would benefit the community. The project was intended to help the students to learn how to build teamwork, organize a project and plan meetings.
“I am really proud of these students, and they should also be proud of themselves for making a difference in the community,”Silvia said.
“I thought it was an unbelievable experience and one that I would do all over again, said Silva, who was the group leader. “The community was so supportive of this project.”
“They are an terrific group of kids,” said Vicki Seaton, spokesperson for the Gilroy Fire Department. “They were extremely motivated.”
Seaton wasn’t sure how the funds will be used within the program, but said the money will help them to reach more people.
“It really helps our goal to serve the community more effectively,” she said.
