Another local charity supported by the 91����Ƶ community is the Christmas project of the . Area children who lack necessities and Christmas presents are connected with gift sponsors through this program. This year, 42 children will be sponsored thanks to the driving force of senior Natalia Derstine, a member of the Social Work is People club.

Thanks to campus-wide donations, SWIP’s fundraising goal of $1,000 was passed by December 1, allowing the group to sponsor 10 more children than the originally planned 32. Club members gathered together to shop for requests such as clothing, shoes and all manner of paraphernalia from the Disney movie “Frozen,” spending around $30 per child.

“Giving ends up being a blessing to both the giver and the receiver,” says Derstine.

Both SWIP and the human resources department have engaged in these initiatives for the past four years. Be a Santa to a Senior is a state-wide program run by Home Instead Senior Care, which provides in-home companionship and medical assistance to senior citizens. Volunteers deliver collected gifts to those who are lonely and financially challenged. Human resources hung six senior ornaments on their tree this year, all of which were claimed.

The has collaboratively sponsored one of the seniors for the past four years. “We all have so much,” said , assistant director of admissions. “We have jobs – good jobs, places to stay, roofs over our heads, people to help us – and a lot of people do not.”

This year, the admissions department pitched in for an older woman who desired “just sweat pants and a whisk!” The department often adds simple goodies to their packages, including tissues or soap.

Both Bauman and Derstine agree that these gift drives not only provide an outlet for charity, but also contribute to their own enjoyment of the holidays. So many staff members in the admissions department revel in the spirit that “we listen to Christmas music really early in the office!” says Bauman.

“I know how much I love presents on Christmas morning,” said Derstine. “So to be able to make that possible for children who otherwise may not have gifts on Christmas makes my heart happy!”

The 91����Ƶ campus community responded to an annual appeal from the department of applied social sciences to purchase gifts with $985 in contributions.

Stephanie DeHart, a senior social work major from Roanoke, Va., gets wrapped up in her work. Photo by Jim Bishop

Around 15 students, all social work majors, used the funds to purchase 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 (DSS).

The group’s original fund goal was $750 this year. When it appeared that the goal wouldn’t be met, organizers made a second campus wide appeal. The original goal was surpassed, and student organizers had the “problem” of going back to Social Services for several more names.

“Every year this project touches a soft spot in my heart,” said Krista D. Burkholder, who helped organize this year’s effort under the auspices of the student organization, Social Work is People (SWIP). Burkholder is a senior social work major from Lancaster, Pa.

91����Ƶ social work students (l. to r.) Stephanie DeHart, Roanoke, Va.; Anna Woelk, Hillsboro, Kan., Marsha Kanagy, Timberville, Va., and Anna Woelk, Hillsboro, Kan., prepare to gift-wrap presents for delivery to the Harrisonburg- Rockingham Department of Social Services. Photo by Jim Bishop

“This service project offers a tangible way for students to help respond to local needs while it his demonstrates what a generous, caring community 91����Ƶ is,” Burkholder said. “I’m thankful to be part of it.”

The presents will be delivered in time for distribution at the Social Service department’s annual “Visit With Santa” Christmas party on Saturday, Dec. 12.

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

The 91����Ƶ 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����Ƶ’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����Ƶ 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����Ƶ 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����Ƶ social work students have completed a successful Christmas service project that raised more than $1,000 to buy gifts for local children.

The 91����Ƶ 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