LaGuardia Community College Holiday Drives

The season for giving to those in need has begun and LaGuardia Community College/CUNY is hosting a variety of holiday drives to encourage everyone to participate in any way they can.

This year, LaGuardia hosted its first Pet Pantry Drive to establish a new pet care section for the LaGuardia CARES pantry. The drive was organized by the Vet Tech Club, a student organization whose members are primarily students of LaGuardia’s Veterinary Technology program, the only degree program of its kind in the New York City region. Veterinary Technicians are essential members of a veterinary team, akin to nurses working with medical doctors treating human patients.

Michaela (Mickey) Escarcega, 30, a Vet Tech major and president of the Vet Tech Club says with many club members being pet owners, they jumped on the idea for a “Pet Pantry,” coined by club mentor Lara Arbach.

“As animal owners and students, we know first-hand the difficulty of providing for our furry family while stretched for cash,” said Mickey, who is pictured with Coquito, her three-year-old Australian Cattle Dog. “We know that life can get in the way of being able to provide essential provisions for our pets, and that any help can go a long way for students. Partnering with LaGuardia CARES was the perfect way to extend that courtesy to students in a bigger way.”

“Animals provide us with unconditional love and support. But having an animal is about much more than what they can give us,” said Mickey, who credits her Coquito with comforting her during times of stress. “Beyond basic resources, our animals deserve to live their best lives, with as much enrichment, healthcare, guidance, nutrition, play, and exercise as we can give them. As future Vet Techs, this is a message we hope to embed in our field.”

More about Vet Tech Club President Mickey Escarcega

Vet Tech Club President Mickey is proud that the club led LaGuardia’s first-ever Pet Pantry Drive in partnership with LaGuardia CARES. Mickey credits club mentor Lara Arbach for coining the idea for a Pet Pantry Drive, and her fellow Vet Tech Club members for their teamwork in organizing it. Mickey, Elizabeth Zenteno, Alexis Boaze, Favi Olmedo, and Lizz Hudman are Veterinary Technology majors; Natalie Plaza is a Nursing major; and Steven Perez is pre-clinical. Like Mickey, most came to LaGuardia to upskill for a new career in animal care or human health care.

“Before coming to LaGuardia, I spent a decade working in the theater/film/TV industry,” Mickey said. “I wore a lot of hats in entertainment—director, actor, producer, marketer, administrator, and stage manager are among the few. I knew that I would never do just one thing with my life. I am a firm believer in pivoting—new experiences can help us to grow in empathy and kindness towards others, and meeting and working with different people helps us to better care and fight for each other.”

Mickey drew inspiration from her family and childhood in deciding to pursue Veterinary Technology as a career. “I grew up in the countryside surrounded by companion, farm, and ranch animals,” said Mickey, who hails from Madera Ranchos, a small community north of Fresno, California. “A few years ago, my aunt left her career as a nurse to pursue animal medicine. She inspired me to do the same. I turned down a job offer and registered for classes at LaGuardia instead, thinking, ‘If I get in the clinical phase, I'll do it,’ and I did! So here I am. I'll graduate with the rest of my incredible classmates in Spring 2024.”

Collecting Toiletries, Winter Coats, Clothing, and Footwear

In addition to the Pet Pantry Drive, LaGuardia’s Campus Life is collecting toiletries, winter coats, clothing, and footwear for LaGuardia CARES, a student support office that runs the college’s on-campus pantry providing food and other essentials for students and their immediate family members.

According to Rhonda Mouton, Ed.D., director of LaGuardia CARES, demand for pantry items is especially high during the holidays. “Nearly one in four students receive support from LaGuardia CARES each year. During school breaks, our students’ need for the pantry is highest, especially among our student-parents,” said Dr. Mouton. “This year, our greatest need is for toiletries.”

Details about LaGuardia Holiday Drives

• Pet Pantry Drive—organized by the LaGuardia Vet Tech Club in partnership with LaGuardia CARES. Items requested included pet care items (new, not expired, and in original packaging) for cats, dogs, small pets, and exotics, including nonperishable canned pet food, dry food (15 lbs. or less), treats (3 lbs. or less), pill packets, collars, harnesses, non-retractable leashes, chew toys, wipes, cat litter, poo bags, potty pads, etc. No bones or rawhide. Donations were collected December 4–6, between 10 a.m.–12 p.m., in the C-Bldg. lobby. For information: Lara Arbach, Vet Tech Club Advisor, larbach@lagcc.cuny.edu or (718) 482-5765.

• U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots Drive—organized by LaGuardia’s Veterans Resource Center. Seeking donations of new, unwrapped toys and books for children from infancy through age 12. Donations are being collected through December 15. Drop-offs can be made during college hours in M-115, B-102, and C-371. For information: Darryl Griffin, Veterans Resource Center Director, dgriffin@lagcc.cuny.edu or (718) 482-6073.

• Toiletry Drive—organized by Campus Life in partnership with LaGuardia CARES. Seeking donations of toiletries and personal care items (new, not expired, and in original packaging), including shampoo & conditioner, feminine hygiene products, soap and body wash, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, and deodorant. Donations are being collected through December 15. Drop-offs can be made during college hours in M-115 and C-107. For information: Donniece Davis-Cooper, Associate Director of Campus Life, dodavis@lagcc.cuny.edu or (718) 730-7427.

• Winter Coats, Clothing and Footwear Drive—organized by Campus Life in partnership with LaGuardia CARES. Seeking donations of new and gently used winter coats, clothing, and footwear. Donations are being collected through December 15. Drop offs can be made during college hours at M-115 and C-107. For information: Donniece Davis-Cooper, Associate Director of Campus Life, dodavis@lagcc.cuny.edu or (718) 730-7427.

• LaGuardia CARES: Monetary donations are greatly appreciated. Funds are used to purchase food, clothing, toiletries, and more to support LaGuardia students and their families. Donations of pet care, non-perishable food, toiletries, cleaning products, infant care items, clothing, and other essentials can be made year-round at the LaGuardia CARES office at LaGuardia Community College, 29-10 Thomson Ave., C-107, Long Island City, NY 11101. To request a pick-up of donations, help with sizable donations, or vendor inquiries, please contact LaGuardia CARES at (718) 482-5129 or laguardiacare@lagcc.cuny.edu.

LaGuardia Community College (LAGCC), a Hispanic-Serving Institution, located in Long Island City, Queens offers more than 50 degrees and certificates, and more than 65 continuing education programs to educate New Yorkers seeking new skills and careers. As an institution of the City University of New York (CUNY), the College reflects the legacy of our namesake, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the former NYC mayor beloved for his advocacy of underserved populations. Since 1971, LaGuardia’s academic programs and support services have advanced the socioeconomic mobility of students while providing them with access to a high quality, affordable college education.