SU 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:
VOLUNTEER CENTER: The SU Volunteer Center hosts several on-campus efforts during the holidays. Through the center, students and staff participated in an Angel Tree program to purchase gifts for children whose parents are incarcerated. SU students also purchased clothes and educational toys for less fortunate students at Beaver Run Elementary School. During finals week, SU students were invited to help make tie-fleece blankets as gifts for less fortunate students at East Salisbury Elementary School.
SHOP WITH A COP: SU Police officers participated in Eastern Shore Psychological Services' second annual "Shop with a Cop" event for children in need.
ANIMAL SUPPLY DRIVE: SU Libraries reminded 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.
TOURNAMENT OF TREES: The Guerrieri University Center hosted its 13th annual Tournament of Trees in December. SU organizations decorated 3-foot, pre-lit Christmas trees for a chance to win prizes. The trees were displayed in the center’s Fireside Lounge, with prizes for the top three, before being given to local charities.
CHRISTMAS WITH THE JAYCEES: Several student organizations chaperoned children in need when they purchase gifts for loved ones and themselves during the Salisbury Jaycees’ 48th annual Children’s Christmas Shopping Tour.
BE A SANTA TO A SENIOR: SU’s Conference Planning Office invited the campus community to “Be a Santa to a Senior” through Home Instead Senior Care’s annual holiday campaign. Participants chose an ornament from a tree in the office inscribed with the name and wish list for an area senior who may be financially challenged or alone for the holidays. Those selecting ornaments were asked to purchase items from the list, wrap them and return them to the office for distribution by Home Instead.
TOYS FOR TOTS: Participants in the SU Intramural Office’s 34th annual Turkey Trot 5K Fun Run were asked to bring a toy or make a $5 donation to Toys for Tots. SU’s Franklin P. Perdue School of Business also collected items for Toys for Tots.
FILL THE SQUARE: SU’s Student Government Association invited students to “Fill the Square” with coats and non-perishable food items to benefit local shelters and food banks during a drive in the Wicomico Room of the Guerrieri University Center.
KETTLE CAMPAIGN: The Salisbury Pops collected donations for the Salvation Army’s Kettle Campaign during its annual Holiday Concert.
STUDENT-ATHLETES GIVE BACK: Student-athletes from SU’s volleyball, women’s soccer, women’s basketball, men’s and women’s lacrosse, baseball, women’s rugby and equestrian teams, as well as athletics staff members, sponsored Thanksgiving dinners for local families in need and also will provide Christmas presents for those families. The Sea Gulls also are supporting individuals in a local adult medical day care program.
TEDDY BEAR TOSS: Fans attending the SU men's and women's basketball Capital Athletic Conference opener against St. Mary's College received free admission with a stuffed animal. Not only were the items collected donated to Toys For Tots, but fans at the men's game will have the opportunity to toss their stuffed animals into a bin from the stands during halftime to win a new TV.
MARYLAND FOOD BANK: SU students were among those assembling Thanksgiving meals for families in need during the Maryland Food Bank’s “Pack to Give Back” event at Emanuel Wesleyan Church.
OPERATION WE CARE: Members of SU’s chapter of the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity hosted a drive at Walmart to collect items for Operation We Care, which sends care packages to U.S. military personnel serving overseas.
I LOVE SALISBURY: Some 900 students partnered with community neighbors to pick up litter, rake leaves, sweep and perform other tasks during the Student Government Association’s ninth 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 Habitat for Humanity, One Year to Empowerment, PFLAG, the Wicomico County Health Department, Women Supporting Women and Mt. Zion United Methodist Church.
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.