Stanbridge College Students Raise $10,196 to Support Hurricane Haiyan Victims in the Philippines

IRVINE, CA--(Marketwired - Dec 2, 2013) - Stanbridge College, a technical college that offers Masters, Bachelor, and Associate of Science degrees and diploma programs in Allied Health and Information Technology, raised $10,196 in support of disaster relief for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, the deadliest Philippine typhoon on record that struck on November 7, 2013. The college took immediate action to support Haiyan victims through partner support to ShelterBox and Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières, two humanitarian organizations working to provide shelter and medical attention in the devastated areas. Several student groups in the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) and Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) programs took the initiative to raise funds in additional fundraisers, while the entire student body and staff came together to participate in a two-week fundraiser to support the tragic event.

According to Loni Klein, current Occupational Therapy Assistant student, "We wanted to be a part of Stanbridge's effort to raise money for the Typhoon Haiyan Relief. So we gathered the best bakers we could find to make treats to sell on campus. Our whole class got in the spirit of baking for a good cause! Students and staff were all so generous, buying multiple sweets to share with others. We are very happy with the support from Stanbridge's students and staff, and so grateful to have been able to raise money to help Typhoon Haiyan Relief as best we can."

Stanbridge College chose to support ShelterBox and the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize Recipient, Doctors Without Borders, because of their consistent support and immediate action for those in need. Originally responding to a 7.2-magnitude earthquake in the Philippines that hit in October, ShelterBox was already working in the Philippines when the typhoon approached. ShelterBox is currently focusing on sheltering survivors in three of the badly affected regions, including Tacloban, Cebu and Bohol with supplies including a tent and life-saving equipment to use while they are displaced or homeless. In response to Haiyan, MSF emergency teams including medical personnel, logisticians, and psychologists were on-site assessing the damage and needs of the survivors and wounded within 24 hours and are currently setting up inflatable hospitals in areas where as many as 15 were destroyed.

This is the second large-scale fundraiser in which Stanbridge College has supported ShelterBox and MSF. In 2011, the college raised over $2,636 for ShelterBox to its Japan Relief Project to aid disaster relief for the victims of the Japanese tsunami and earthquake. In 2012, students, staff, and faculty raised $1,250 in funds to support MSF's efforts for the victims of famine, drought, and political issues in Somalia. Global aid and support is just one of the many initiatives Stanbridge College takes in its community service. Through its award-winning and nationally recognized, REACH-Beyond the Classroom community service initiative, students are encouraged to give back to those in need in their local and global communities.

In September, Stanbridge Colllege was awarded the 2013 Community Service Award from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) for outstanding outreach to its local and global community. For four consecutive years, the efforts of its students and staff have earned Stanbridge it's placement to the 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement.

To learn more about Stanbridge College, please visit www.stanbridge.edu.

About Stanbridge College
Based in Irvine, CA, Stanbridge College is a co-educational, technical college with an annual enrollment of over 1,200 students. Founded in 1996, Stanbridge is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Stanbridge College offers Master, Bachelor, and Associate of Science degrees and diploma programs in Allied Health and Information Technology.

In 2013, Stanbridge College received the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) Community Service Award Winner for outstanding outreach to its local and global community. Stanbridge has been named to the 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement. In 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012, Stanbridge College received an award from Institutional Research & Evaluation, Inc., as one of America's Best Technical Colleges. In 2008-2009 Stanbridge College was the recipient of the School of Excellence Award from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), and since 2007 it has maintained one of the highest continuous pass rates in California on the NCLEX-PN nursing exam, with a 93% six year average pass rate. For more information, please visit www.stanbridge.edu or call (949) 794-9090.