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 For the 16th year in a row, the Office of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement and the sociology and anthropology department are hosting the Holiday Helper Tree at Lakeside Cafe.
On Nov. 4, the kickoff begins as the tree with around 800 tags stands ready for gifts to be bought for local residents in need.
“This is a great project for students, staff and faculty to help the Statesboro community around the holidays” said Diana Hensley, coordinator of Civic Engagement in the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement and the current coordinator for the event. “Low income families, elderly in nursing homes, individuals with mental disabilities, immigrant families, home bound individuals, less fortunate children and many more from the local community will be given gifts to unwrap for Christmas.”
In 1994, Eileen Smith, in coordination with fellow retired GSU staff member, created this gift drive that sponsors three local agencies. The event has now grown to sponsor 17 agencies, spreading the joy of the holiday season all over Bulloch County.
“The Holiday Helpers program strengthens our bond between GSU and the community, showing that we care,” Smith said. “This is one of the most rewarding things I have gotten involved in in my life.”
Besides the addition of new agencies Smith has seen the event cultivate in a larger aspect.
“I received a phone call from a student who graduated five years ago who currently teaches in an Atlanta-area high school. She wanted to know how to create a similar program at that school,” said Smith. “I am excited that students are continuing to give back and creating from what they learned here at Georgia Southern, which is what we are all about.”
The tags displaying the gifts desired are color coded in coordination with the agency the request comes from. One of these agencies is High Hope. High Hope is a center that assists individuals who are developmentally and mentally disabled along with individuals who have addiction problems.
“I am passionate about this program because it has meant so much to this community, and it will be especially important this year with the economy,” stated Gloria Kenure, director of Developmental Disabilities Service at High Hope.
“This is a wonderful program because individuals who will for the first time will have a gift under the tree; it shows the meaning of receiving and giving,” she said.
According to Hensley many of the individuals at High Hope ask simply for GSU apparel.
There are several ways to get involved with the Holiday Helper Program, in addition to buying gifts. “Tree sitters” are needed from 9a.m.-3p.m. to track the distribution of tags from Nov. 4 to Dec. 2.
Volunteers are also needed to wrap gifts as they are returned, deliver the gifts to agencies and call individuals who have not returned their tag/gift. Gifts are due by 3p.m. on December 2.
Volunteers can sign up to help in the sociology office in the Carroll Building (room 1003) or in the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement in Russell Union (room 2024).
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