ESU students and staff give back to the community
As the holiday season is upon us, student organizations and departments at Emporia State University are finding ways to spread some holiday cheer and help those in need.
The season of giving began with ESU's annual food drive "Corky's Cupboard" which raised over a ton of food for the Salvation Army and Plumb Place .
The spirit of giving did not stop there; many student organizations and departments put fourth a collective effort to assist in making the holidays brighter for the less fortunate.
The Public Affairs and Marketing office, which coordinated Corky's Cupboard, decided to give a hand, to warm a hand. They collected gloves, mittens, scarves and hats as part of The Mitten Tree project. The collected items were placed on Christmas Trees at local businesses and then donated to the Salvation Army.
Also giving the gift of warmth was the Center for Student Involvement office. The CSI office collected new or gently-used winter outerwear for the Emporia S.O.S. Shelter. They collected coats, scarves, hats and heavy sweaters.
"We collected a huge box full of warm items for the shelter. Sadly, there are too many people in need and those of us who can help should make every attempt to do so," said Elizabeth Nelson, multicultural programs and services coordinator. "This could very well become an annual event."
CSI doubled up on its holiday giving this season. The CSI office, the Memorial Union Bookstore and Sodexho sponsored a Late Night Event for students during finals week. At this event, students brought non-perishable food items that were donated to the Salvation Army.
"We are thankful for all the community does for ESU. The support of the students by businesses, individual community members, and ESU alumni is incredible," said Blythe Eddy, Assistant Director of the Memorial Union. "We want to give back in whatever way we can."
The Department of Financial Aid continued with its tradition of adopting a family for the holidays, they are going into their fourth year of this tradition. The Sauder Alumni Center also adopted a family for the Christmas season. The Admissions office picked an Angel tree child to adopt and buy presents for.
The Memorial Union Bookstore collected items such as board games, alarm clocks, towels and blankets at their annual faculty and staff appreciation day. They donated the items to the Emporia S.O.S. Shelter.
Student organizations were no exception to the giving spirit.
Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority participated in their national philanthropy by sending shoeboxes full of goodies to the Children's Play Therapy Hospital in Dallas, TX and North Carolina. The shoeboxes contained play dough, slinkies, coloring books and a variety of other toys.
"This year we were unable to purchase angels off of the angel trees so we thought it would be a good idea to fill shoeboxes with items for kids so that they get more presents for Christmas this year," said Nicole Smith, a sophomore Biology major and member of Sigma Sigma Sigma.
Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority and Sigma Tau Gamma sorority threw a Christmas party for children in need. On December 9, the Greek members each had a different child they bought presents for. Santa gave the children their presents at the party.
"This event was fun for me because it was a way to give back to the community and interact with people in the community," said Jenny Elkins, a sophomore Elementary Education major and member of Alpha Sigma Alpha.
The International English Honors Society, Sigma Tau Delta sponsored a children's book drive, asking for donations of new or gently used children's books and literature. The books were donated to The Farm, Inc. and adoption and foster care agency.
Last Updated July 2, 2007>