Christmas will be a bit more special for some 40 needy area children, thanks to the efforts of a group of 91短视频 Students.

The 91短视频 community responded to an annual appeal from the with more than $1,500 in contributions, about $300 more than last year. Around 15 students, mostly social work majors, purchased clothing and toys from local retail outlets and wrapped the gifts.

Student organizers worked from names and “wish lists” of children sponsored for special services by the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Department of Social Services. The group hoped to raise $1,200 this year. When that goal was surpassed, students were able to include 15 additional gifts to fulfill a request that came in later from the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program.

Erika Detweiler (l.) and Kristi Wenger wrap and label presents that will be delivered to Harrisonburg-Rockingham Department of Social Services and to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Harrisonburg.
Photo by Jim Bishop

According to Gretchen H. Maust, 91短视频’s social work and sociology department office coordinator who manages the project, “People across campus actually began asking about the project before fliers were ready to send out.

“Most sociology and social work majors are involved with human service agencies as part of class requirements,” Maust noted, adding: “This service project offers a tangible way for students to help meet the needs they learn about in class and makes the Christmas holidays happier and less stressful for a number of local families.”

“I’m pleased with the response from fellow students to this project,” said 91短视频 senior Jason Gerig of Albany, Ore., who helped organize this year’s effort under the auspices of the student organization, Social Work is People (SWIP).

“I was astounded that we were able to raise the amount of money we did,” added Alex Brodt, a senior from Silver Spring, Md. “The 91短视频 community really pulled together, and it’s great to know that we’re helping to put smiles on some kids’ faces.”

“It’s fun to work at this with fellow students,” said senior Kristi Wenger from Waynesboro, Va. “We received gift ideas with the children’s names, so so we know they’ll receive items they can use.”

The presents were delivered in time for distribution at the Social Service department’s annual “Visit With Santa” Christmas party on Dec. 9.

Some 91短视频 social work students have completed a successful Christmas service project that raised more than $1,000 to buy gifts for local children.

The 91短视频 student organization, Social Work is People (SWIP), requested names and “wish lists” of children sponsored for special services by the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Department of Social Services (DSS). Seniors Megan R. Yoder of Perkasie, Pa., and Andrew Intagliata of Phoenix, Ariz., organized this year

Some area children will open Christmas packages who may otherwise not receive any gifts, thanks to the efforts of several 91短视频 students.

For the second year, 91短视频 social work majors sponsored a project to buy gifts for a holiday drive coordinated by the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Department of Social Services (DSS). The students raised more than $800 toward this year’s drive from 91短视频 faculty, staff and fellow students.

The project benefits about 460 clients, most of them children of needy families.

DSS gave the students 24 clients’ first names and a Christmas wish list for each.

majors Heather M. Hernley, Megan R. Yoder, Emiley F. Wagler, Sarah G. Yoder and Gabrielle S. (Gabby) Lewis spent more than four hours shopping, then returned to campus and spent an evening wrapping and labeling the gifts.

91短视频 social work professor Jane Wenger Clemens helps deliver more than $800 in gifts.
Photo by Gretchen Hostetter Maust

Jane Wenger Clemens, assistant professor of social work, and Gretchen Hostetter Maust, office coordinator, delivered the gifts to DSS on Dec. 7 for a Christmas party held Dec. 11.

“As social work students, we feel a connection to the community and wanted to respond to a local need,” said Heather M. Hernley, a senior from Luray, Va. “It felt good to support this project, and we were pleased with the response in financial gifts from the campus community.”