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�ƹ���Ƶ’s (�ƹ���Ƶ CC) Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Club recently organized and held fundraisers to benefit local nonprofits. Since October was Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the club decided to raise money for related organizations.

“We chose to support the Onslow Women’s Center and Coastal Women’s Shelter,” said Haley Williams, PTA Club president. “Domestic violence awareness is something we felt needed more recognition as it can commonly go unidentified or be uncomfortable to talk about. We know that as PTAs we may be the ones to recognize domestic violence and speak up about it.”

The first fundraiser was held at a Food Lion in Jacksonville on Oct. 3, where the club raised $459 for the Onslow Women’s Center. On Oct. 17, they set up a table at the Food Lion off MLK Jr. Blvd. in New Bern and raised $541 for the Coastal Women’s Shelter. Club members presented the funds to both nonprofits in early November.

In the past, �ƹ���Ƶ CC’s PTA Club has hosted other fundraisers, including a racing event in 2019 to support local organizations such as the �ƹ���Ƶ County Special Olympics, Shriners Hospitals for Children and scholarship initiatives for students with financial barriers. They have also organized campus events for students, including cornhole tournaments, and donate the proceeds.

In addition to supporting important causes and organizations, the PTA Club members believe that their fundraisers and community events have brought them closer and help them better understand what it means to be a responsible and involved citizen.

“Being a �ƹ���Ƶ CC student in the PTA Club has helped us connect with our community better,” said Williams. “We feel a sense of belonging and responsibility to help the community and bring awareness to the benefits of physical therapy.”

The PTA program at �ƹ���Ƶ CC is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. The hands-on curriculum includes many instructional lab components with multiple practical exams to test skill acquisition. Real-life simulations give students the knowledge to succeed during clinical rotations, where they obtain the experience needed to start a career. PTAs work under the direction of a physical therapist and are typically involved in the treatment of individuals with muscular, skeletal, cardiopulmonary and nervous system disorders. They may also be involved in injury prevention and treatment such as individual or group therapeutic exercise, ambulation training, activities of daily living and administration of physical agents such as heat and cold.

The PTA Club is planning to hold a fundraiser specifically to benefit their club. They will be set up at Chipotle in New Bern on Saturday, Nov. 21 from 4 to 8 p.m. Anyone who wants to show support can purchase food, and 33% of the proceeds will be donated to the PTA Club. If purchasing food online or from the Chipotle app, enter code TMWA4YB in the “promo code” field to help the fundraiser.

For more information on �ƹ���Ƶ CC’s PTA program, contact Dr. Dan Friedlander at 252-638-7341 or friedlanderd@cravencc.edu.

This article was originally published in the New Bern Sun Journal on November 18, 2020.