SU Community Volunteers for the Holidays
SALISBURY, MD---Salisbury University students, faculty and staff are preparing for the holidays with projects that benefit the whole community. The following is a sampling:
PET SUPPLY DRIVE: Blackwell Library reminds the community that people are not the only beings who are homeless and hungry during its annual “Be a Hero for Homeless Animals” supply drive to benefit animal shelters in Wicomico and Somerset counties. The drive runs through Friday, December 17. A list of needed items, such as dog and cat food, and collection boxes are located by the library’s circulation desk.
LIFE CRISIS ‘BABY SHOWER’: Salisbury University’s Social Work Club sponsors a “Baby Shower” to support area children and the Life Crisis Center 7-9:30 p.m. Thursday, December 2, in the colonnade of the Teacher Education and Technology Center (TETC). Faculty, staff, students and the community are invited to bring “gifts” or monetary donations. Suggested new items for babies and toddlers include clothes, toys and supplies, such as baby wipes, formula, and disposable diapers and training pants. The club also collects non-perishable food for the Salvation Army through Friday, December 17.
SHOEBOX PRESENT DRIVE: SU student-athletes gEt in the holiday spirit as they participate in a shoebox present drive. Sponsored by the SU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), the project allows students to collect food, games and educational materials for less fortunate children in the Salisbury area. Salisbury’s varsity athletic teams and athletic training staff to gather items for the drive.
GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP: Players from SU's men's lacrosse team have donated their time to community youth, hosting a seven-week lacrosse clinic at Crown Sports Center on Tuesdays through December 14.
FESTIVAL OF TREES: The Guerrieri University Center hosts its seventh annual Festival of Trees. During the competition, registered student organizations are invited to decorate 3-foot Christmas trees that will be given to residents at Coastal Hospice, the Holly Center, teh Joseph House Christian Shelter, the Village of Hope, Wicomico Nursing Home and Atria Salisbury Senior Living. Student organizations may also include small gifts, toiletries and canned food to be donated with their trees.
RINGING THE BELLS: Students, faculty and staff from SU’s Franklin P. Perdue School of Business are ringing bells at local stores for The Salvation Army’s annual Kettle Campaign. The Salisbury Pops, conducted by Lee Knier of SU’s Department of Music, also provides a donation kettle during its annual holiday concert 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 7. Contributions provide Christmas dinners, clothing, and toys for families in need.
ASSISTANCE ABROAD: Students in SU’s Human Communication in Guatemala enhancement class, under the leadership of Dr. Chrys Egan and Melany Trenary, are collecting toys, games, and arts and crafts items throughout the holidays to distribute to children in that country’s Hope of Life orphanage during a service learning abroad project in January.
ADOPT A FAMILY: Employees in SU’s IT Department are adopting a family for the season, providing food for a holiday feast.
CHILDREN’S SHOPPING TOUR: Members of the Union of African-American Students and other campus organizations have signed up to chaperone children in need when they purchase gifts for loved ones and themselves during the Salisbury Jaycees’ annual Children’s Christmas Shopping Tour.
CANNED FOOD DRIVE: The Guerrieri University Center Events Office, SU Volunteer Center and National Panhellenic Council recently hosted its first combined canned food drive to benefit the Joseph House during National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week.
TOYS FOR TOTS: More than 200 participants brought a toy or made a $5 donation to Toys For Tots to participate in the SU Intramural Office’s annual Turkey Trot 5K Fun Run. Toys For Tots also received a boost from the Inter-Fraternity Council’s inaugural Santa Run, which raised nearly $500 for the charity. SU’s Perdue School of Business continues to collect toys for the 2010 drive, while the Social Work Club plans to help distribute items once collected.
Student and faculty organizations may request to have their holiday philanthropic activities added to the list by e-mailing jfrhodes@salisbury.edu.