VALDOSTA – We are all proud of our military for serving and protecting our country and their service doesn’t end there. Many also go above and beyond to actively give back to our local community. That is the case with one service member who chose to remain unnamed. He generously donated a Ford Expedition to Wiregrass Foundation South and wanted the vehicle to be awarded to another military member. Walter Knight, a welding student, was awarded the vehicle based on several criteria, including his military service and need for the vehicle.
Knight retired from the United States Air Force after 22 years of service. He and his wife of 30 years have seven children, five at home, one away in college, and one married and living independently. His transportation back and forth for his college classes was limited to a car borrowed from a gracious neighbor. Walter said, “Receiving the Expedition will allow me to no longer rely on my neighbor to get back and forth to school, plus we can all fit into one vehicle and go somewhere as a family.”
The vehicle had minor work done by the Automotive Technology and Automotive Collision Repair students at Wiregrass Georgia Tech. In addition, four new tires were donated by Kauffman Tire in Valdosta. Erin Dabbs, Social Media and Content Specialist for Kauffman Tire, said, “We are beyond happy to have been able to assist Wiregrass and we thank Wiregrass for the opportunity.”
Wiregrass offers over 100 programs of study in business, computer information systems, health science, professional services, and technical and industrial fields. Wiregrass also provides a Veterans Support Services Center coordinated by Tabora Temple. Wiregrass was ranked tenth in the nation in Military Times’ Best for Vets: Career & Technical Colleges 2016, among other recognition as military-friendly.
There are many ways to support workforce and economic development at Wiregrass with a donation to the Foundation: cash, gifts of property, life insurance, charitable remainder annuity trusts, and wills. For information about making a charitable contribution, contact Dr. Penelope Schmidt at 229-293-6190 or penelope.schmidt@wiregrass.edu. For information about enrolling at Wiregrass, call 229-333-2100. Fall semester begins August 22, 2016.
Image: – L to R: Wiregrass Foundation South Trustee Stacy Bush, Intern Raphael Walters, Welding Coordinator Wally Rewis, Military Services Coordinator Tabora Temple, Foundation Assistant Dalphne Horton, Foundation Executive Director Dr. Penelope Schmidt, Welding Student and Veteran Walter Knight, Wiregrass President Dr. Tina Anderson, Automotive Technology Instructor John Royals, Automotive Technology Instructor Toby Heard, Auto Collision Instructor Roy Bramley, Auto Collision Coordinator Mark Whitson, and student Reynolds.
