WORCESTER—The Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) community is rallying to support pets affected by recent hurricanes in Southern states through a pet supply drive organized by the school’s police department.
Fueled by contributions from students, faculty, and staff, more than 100 pounds of pet food and numerous boxes of supplies and toys have been collected to aid pet owners facing hardship after Hurricanes Helene and Milton swept through the region.
These storms left widespread destruction in their wake, disrupting lives and displacing countless families — including their pets.
QCC Police Chief Stephen DiGiovanni explained that the drive was part of the department’s commitment to extending a helping hand beyond the campus.
“Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated several of our southern states, impacting millions of people as well as their pets,” DiGiovanni said in a press release. “As a community college police department, we strive to put community first in all that we do, and this includes helping other communities in need.”
Partnering with the Central Massachusetts Disaster Animal Response Team (CMDART) and the Lions Clubs of Massachusetts, QCC’s donations are now en route to North Carolina.
The supplies will be delivered to Camp Dogwood, a Lions Club retreat in Sherrills Ford, which serves as a regional support center for disaster relief efforts for the blind, visually impaired, and their pets. Donations will help ensure these animals receive necessary care as their families rebuild their lives.
Over the past several weeks, contributions poured in from the QCC community, including canned and dry pet food, treats, bedding, leashes, and toys. Campus Police Officer Nick Yacuzzi, who also serves as a handler for Siggy, QCC’s community resource dog, was particularly proud of his community. “During catastrophic events, pets are often forgotten about or left behind. They deserve just as much help after these disasters,” said Yacuzzi in a statement. “Siggy has made a positive impact on our college community, and now we’re paying it forward by supporting pet owners in need.”
The drive’s success highlights the community’s compassionate spirit, as well as QCC’s commitment to outreach. “When the world is full of stress as it is now, the coming together of people who care demonstrates a small positive impact we can make,” said JoAnn Griffin, CMDART president and team lead. “CMDART was very glad to help mediate this transport to help animals and pet owners impacted in the South.”
In addition to organizing this donation drive, CMDART is actively seeking volunteers in Central Massachusetts to train in emergency animal sheltering and other disaster relief services, opening doors for community members who wish to make a difference in disaster-impacted areas.
QCC’s pet supply drive not only offers crucial support to pets and their owners but also reflects the college’s community-oriented values. As donations make their way to the South, the QCC community is reminded of the powerful role compassion plays in times of crisis, proving that a college police department’s reach can extend far beyond its own community, offering comfort and care to those in need.
Editor Charlene Arsenault can be reached at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
