College Honors Alumna for Community, Volunteer Service
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Pennsylvania College of Technology has honored Meagan Murray, of Hughesville, with an Alumni Citizenship/Humanitarian Award.
The award recognizes graduates of Penn College (and of forerunners Williamsport Area Community College and Williamsport Technical Institute) who provide distinguished community or volunteer service.
Murray received the award during commencement ceremonies held Dec. 19 at the Community Arts Center, Williamsport.
Murray graduated from Penn College in May with an associate degree in human services. She is employed as an IM4Q (Independent Monitoring for Quality Project) service coordinator for the Center for Independent Living of North Central Pennsylvania.
Her community and volunteer activities include originating "Meagan's Box," a charity providing hundreds of Christmas gifts each year (beginning in 1998 when she was 15) to the YWCA of Northcentral PA's Wise Options for Women and the Son-Light House, Muncy. Along the way, she has inspired others local organizations, school groups, churches and individuals to contribute to the project and help wrap the gifts for delivery to Wise Options and Son-Light House.
Murray also purchases baby strollers, diaper bags filled with important child-care items, and child car seats that are provided to mothers in need. This year, she started a project buying shoes for children in the Head Start program.
She also has served as a volunteer for an occupational summer camp operated by the Children's Development Center, Williamsport; Liberty House, a partnership between the YWCA of Northcentral PA and Lycoming County United Way; the Cornell Abraxas summer camp for children with behavioral and emotional problems; the Hughesville High School life skills program; and the Muncy Valley Hospital Skilled Nursing Unit.
Murray's nominator wrote: "Because of her love of helping others in need, her kindness to all and her selfless giving, I feel that Meagan Murray would be an excellent candidate for the Alumni Humanitarian Award. Recognition for her efforts will not only give her the praise that she deserves, but will also inspire others to help the children in need in our community, which is Meagan's own personal goal.''
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