The holidays mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people, but one thought should be universal on everyone’s mind: How can I help my fellow man?
There are hundreds of charities available all throughout the state, but for busy college students, preoccupied with passing finals and taking classes, taking time to find those charities can be a chore in itself.
Luckily, there are plenty of charities available to participate in on campus and we’ve compiled a list.
Most of the charities are geared towards providing children with not only Christmas presents but with shoes and clothes that they are in need of. What makes these charities ideal for college students is the ease with which they can be taken advantage of. From buying toys, giving up loose change, or freeing up space in hall closets by donating old winter coats, students can participate in the season’s feelings of “good will toward men.”
Sub for Santa
UVU and Utah County Sub for Santa have joined forces this year, as they have in years past, to bring Christmas to UVU students, faculty and staff in need of some extra help. Anyone can sponsor a Sub for Santa family, which mainly focuses on children, and providing new clothes, toys and books for them. Sub for Santa is especially a great project for a club or family to help with.
For more information, visit the UVU Volunteer and Service Learning Center at LC 205 or call 801-863-8786.
The Giving Tree
There is a Giving Tree located in the student center food court in front of Hogi Yogi. The idea of the tree is simple: Take a dove ornament and buy whatever gift is listed on it. Once it is bought, take the unwrapped gift to LC 205. Items from the Giving Tree benefit children and senior citizens. The Giving Tree is available until Dec. 10.
Quarters for Christmas
UVU PRSSA is participating in KSL’s Quarters for Christmas tradition, which helps buy shoes and other essential items for Utah’s needy children. So far, the change total has been able to buy 4,190 pairs of shoes. Bring your loose change to the jars provided in the Communications department or send your change directly to KSL.
For more information, visit http://Web.KSL.com/TV/comm/quarters
Baby items for Legacy High School
Legacy is an alternative high school in Springville for teen girls who are pregnant or already have small children. The school has an on-site daycare and works to help these young women finish their high school educations. The Women in Technology group is collecting baby items, such as wipes, diapers and formula, to make gift bags. Donations can be dropped off to Kim Chiu in EE 206 or Ellen Draper in EE 201.
For more information, call 801-863-6385.
School supplies for kids in Ecuador
UVU Spanish professor Roberto Morales is originally from Ecuador and every few years, he spends his Christmas break visiting. While there, he participates in Fundación Crecer (loosely translated to “Grow Foundation”), which helps 100 Ecuadorian children per year, from ages 8 to 17, get off the streets and get a good education. Since these children live in deep poverty, being educated usually means being saved from drugs, gangs and prostitution. The foundation also helps mothers gain life skills like cooking and other self-sufficiency skills to help them earn a living so their children don’t have to.
The foundation is looking for school supplies like crayons, paper, rulers and pencils, as well as small nylon backpacks to put supplies in. Donations can be dropped off in the Language Department office LA 003, at UVU West (the Utah National Guard building) or you can make arrangements with Professor Morales directly at MoraleRo@UVU.edu
For more information, visit www.FundacionCrecer.org (the website is in Spanish, but some browsers will translate).
Donate old winter coats
You may have noticed new, empty bins scattered all over campus and not known what they’re for. Some are littered with old gum wrappers and plastic bottles. The Center for the Advancement of Leadership is hoping that students will use these bins to donate their old, clean, reusable coats. All coats donated will be taken to the Salt Lake City Mission.
Bins are located throughout campus or coats can be taken to LC 302.
