Food, toys, clothes wanted for gift drive
By Colin Herzog
The holidays are hard times for those in need, and SUNY Fredonia recognizes that many people in the area can use a helping hand.
This is why a campus-wide donation drive will be held on Friday, Dec. 8 to benefit needy families in the area. Volunteers will be accepting donations in the Williams Center, room G-144 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Students, faculty and staff are being asked to donate non-perishable food items as well as new or old toys and clothes.
Residential students may also drop donations off in the lobby of their residence halls by 10 a.m. on Friday. Faculty and staff will receive collection bags this week that they can fill and hang on their doors by noon on Friday. Volunteers will gather up all the bags Friday afternoon.
The Counseling Center and the Learning Center started the drive in 1999. “There were previously donation drives on campus, but nothing campus-wide,” said Julie Bezek, the drive’s director and Volunteer Services Coordinator.
Now with Volunteer Services, Residence Life, the Resident Assistant Advisory Board, and Student Affairs co-sponsoring the drive, efforts are greater than ever.
Last year about 25 boxes of food and 50 boxes of clothes were collected and donated to families in Chautauqua County through the Holiday Caregivers Coalition. This consists of World Ministries, the Salvation Army and United Way which come together during the holiday season and keep donations in the area.
Students are encouraged not only to donate, but to volunteer for the cause as well.
“We’re always looking for students to help,” said Bezek. Volunteers are needed to help sort items, box items and pick donations up from residence halls and offices around campus.
Those interested in volunteering or have more questions about specific donations that are needed this year may contact Marie at the Counseling Center at 716-673-3424 or visit www.fredonia.edu/counseling.
The holidays are hard times for those in need, and SUNY Fredonia recognizes that many people in the area can use a helping hand.
This is why a campus-wide donation drive will be held on Friday, Dec. 8 to benefit needy families in the area. Volunteers will be accepting donations in the Williams Center, room G-144 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Students, faculty and staff are being asked to donate non-perishable food items as well as new or old toys and clothes.
Residential students may also drop donations off in the lobby of their residence halls by 10 a.m. on Friday. Faculty and staff will receive collection bags this week that they can fill and hang on their doors by noon on Friday. Volunteers will gather up all the bags Friday afternoon.
The Counseling Center and the Learning Center started the drive in 1999. “There were previously donation drives on campus, but nothing campus-wide,” said Julie Bezek, the drive’s director and Volunteer Services Coordinator.
Now with Volunteer Services, Residence Life, the Resident Assistant Advisory Board, and Student Affairs co-sponsoring the drive, efforts are greater than ever.
Last year about 25 boxes of food and 50 boxes of clothes were collected and donated to families in Chautauqua County through the Holiday Caregivers Coalition. This consists of World Ministries, the Salvation Army and United Way which come together during the holiday season and keep donations in the area.
Students are encouraged not only to donate, but to volunteer for the cause as well.
“We’re always looking for students to help,” said Bezek. Volunteers are needed to help sort items, box items and pick donations up from residence halls and offices around campus.
Those interested in volunteering or have more questions about specific donations that are needed this year may contact Marie at the Counseling Center at 716-673-3424 or visit www.fredonia.edu/counseling.
