SU Volunteers for the Holidays

Andrea Booth of the Guerrieri University Center and Dr. Lawanda Dockins-Mills, associate dean of students, ring bells for the Salvation Army.

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:

TOURNAMENT OF TREES:  The Guerrieri University Center hosts its 12th annual Tournament of Trees from December 4-18. SU organizations decorate 3-foot, pre-lit Christmas trees for a chance to win prizes. The trees are displayed in the center’s Fireside Lounge, with prizes for the top three, before being given to local charities.

ANIMAL 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” drive to benefit area humane societies. The drive continues through Friday, December 18. A list of needed items, such as dog and cat food, and collection boxes are located near the library’s circulation desk.

FILL THE SQUARE:  SU’s Student Government Association collected coats and food for the less fortunate during its annual “Fill the Square” drive, in collaboration with the Conflict Resolution Club. Items collected benefit Salisbury area non-profits and food pantries.

CHRISTMAS WITH THE JAYCEES:  Through the SU Volunteer Center, students chaperoned children in need while they purchased gifts for loved ones and themselves during the Salisbury Jaycees’ 47th annual Children’s Christmas Shopping Tour.

ANGEL TREE:  Also through the Volunteer Center, students and staff are participating in an Angel Tree program to purchase gifts for less fortunate children.

KETTLE CAMPAIGN:  The Salisbury Pops collected donations for the Salvation Army’s Kettle Campaign during its annual Holiday Concert.

TOYS FOR TOTS:  Participants in the SU Intramural Office’s 33rd annual Turkey Trot 5K Fun Run and fifth annual Holiday Basketball Tournament were asked to bring in a toy or make a $5 donation to Toys For Tots. The Perdue School of Business and SU's basketball teams also collected items for Toys For Tots.

OPERATION WE CARE:  Members of SU’s chapter of the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity hosted a drive at Giant Food to collect items for Operation We Care, which sends care packages to U.S. military personnel serving overseas. SU’s New Student Reader Committee also donated books for Operation We Care packages.

GIVING OTHER LIVES DIGNITY:  Among other volunteer efforts throughout the semester, SU’s Alpha Phi Omega chapter also assisted with fundraising for the first golf tournament hosted by Worcester County GOLD (Giving Other Lives Dignity) in November. Proceeds benefitted less fortunate residents in the county.

UNITED WAY:  SU’s Student United Way chapter—the first in Maryland—raised more than $5,000 during its second annual zombie-infested Halloween 5K Dash in October. Money collected helps the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore, Inc., support 62 programs throughout the region.

I LOVE SALISBURY:  Over 600 students partnered with community neighbors to pick up litter, rake leaves, sweep and perform other tasks during the Student Government Association’s seventh annual “I Love Salisbury” cleanup event in November.

SEMESTER OF GIVING:  Students in Paula Morris’ promotions classes have spent the semester organizing and hosting fundraisers for area non-profit organizations, including Operation We Care, Prince Street Elementary School, Ocean City’s Ocean Games, the Arthritis Foundation, the Justin McJilton Scholarship Fund and the Westside Historical Society.

FROM ROOTS TO WINGS:  Several SU community members are involved with From Roots to Wings, Inc., a local non-profit that takes supplies and food to the streets, placing them directly into the hands of the homeless.

MARYLAND CHARITY CAMPAIGN:  Throughout the season, SU faculty and staff donate to organizations across the state through the Maryland Charity Campaign. The program raises more than $3 million annually for Maryland non-profits.

For information on these and other holiday philanthropic programs at SU call 410-543-6030.  Or for updates, visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.