January 21, 2025
Over 150 Trine University students gathered together in Whitney Commons for the 11th annual PB+J-A-Thon on Jan. 16.
Students and organizations, including the Society of Future Educators, Trine women's lacrosse and multiple Greek organizations, made more than 600 lunch bags for the students of Timothy L. Johnson Academy (TLJA), an Education One-sponsored public charter school in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
On Jan. 17, Trine Student Government took the time to deliver the goodie bags and speak with the TLJA students.
Many may not know that this is a time-honored Trine tradition, dating back to 2014 with the collaboration of Education One and Trine’s cheer/dance squad wanting to serve and support one of Trine’s authorized public charter schools.
This collaboration quickly grew in the second year, with the football team joining in on the fun. The cheer/dance squad would prep the sandwiches and then, on delivery day, the football players and cheer/dance squad would all go to TLJA and hold an all-school assembly in the gym. Members of the Trine football team would start by giving a motivational speech, meant to encourage the TLJA students to persist and stay positive in the midst of adversity, before the athletes would go to each classroom to do a meet and greet while distributing the sandwiches with TLJA students' favorite mascot, Storm.
The significance of university students participating in philanthropic events like PB&J-A-Thon extends far beyond the act of making sandwiches. For Trine University students, it is an opportunity to gain practical experience in community engagement and social responsibility.
“As an education major, I know that students at TLJ rely on this food for the long weekend,” said Trine student Ashtyn Shemwell. “Being involved in making these sandwiches makes me excited because I’m doing something that impacts students, which is what I want to do as a teacher in the future.”.
In addition to benefiting local communities, the PB&J-A-Thon also helps foster a sense of unity and purpose among the Trine University student body, by working together to address a pressing social issue.
“Trine University students and organizations love being able to come together to complete a philanthropic project. It's even better when we know that it benefits a Trine-sponsored school,” said student Leah Mallon, Trine University Student.
Most importantly, the students at Timothy L. Johnson Academy experience firsthand the power of community support and the importance of paying it forward.
“This is great for our students,” said Kaylie Davidhizar, TLJA teacher and Trine alumna. “It's also a long-standing tradition. Our students know that every year on the Friday before break that they’ll get sandwiches. This helps put our minds at ease because we know it will keep kids fed over a long weekend.”
The event continues to evolve, with new individuals transitioning into new positions over the years. The one thing that remains consistent is that, at the heart of the initiative, the mission has always been clear: to serve and support Trine University charter school students, ensuring they have the resources, opportunities and guidance they need to succeed.
To learn more about Education One and Timothy L. Johnson Academy visit: https://www.trine.edu/education-one/.
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