CAMBRIDGE — SkillsUSA, the student career and technical organization at Dorchester Career and Technology Center, has organized a collection throughout the school of supplies to help the local Salvation Army serve the homeless population of Dorchester County. Staff and students from most of the school’s programs participated, with boxes of blankets, socks, toiletries, and other essential items being donated last week.

“The Salvation Army of the Mid Shore would like to thank the students and staff of DCTC for their generous donation,” Lt. Wendy Parsons of the Salvation Army said. “It is heartwarming to see the next generation of our community caring for others.”

DCTC teacher and SkillsUSA advisor Chef Charlene Zinnel said, “This service project not only supports some of the most vulnerable people in our community, but helps our students think about diversity and respecting others, essential elements of the SkillsUSA framework.”

DCTC’s SkillsUSA chapter has received national recognition, achieving Gold status for the past two years, as well as being designated a Chapter of Excellence in 2018, one of only 24 chapters in the nation to be awarded this honor.