Holiday festivities bring joy and cheer to many households around this time of year. However, the holiday season is a challenging time of year for some. Financial issues can make the season of giving a stressful time of year.
Students are doing what they can to help out this season. Many student organizations are taking part in service projects and philanthropy to help those in need.
Schey Sales Center, a marketing student organization, partners with Athens Children Services to put on a toy drive every year for children in Athens. Montanna Buck, a sophomore studying strategic leadership and management, is the director of philanthropy for the Schey. She is in charge of organizing the center’s toy drive.
“Not only did we get all 75 children adopted and taken care of,” Buck said. “But we're able to continue donating this money to Athens Children Services.”
This year, the Schey initially adopted 50 children to buy toys for Christmas. In the first two weeks of the four-week period the toy drive occurred, all 50 children had students and faculty purchase toys for them. Because of this, the center was able to adopt 25 more children, all of whom received gifts.
The center raised an additional $700, meaning all of the children’s Christmas lists can be completed. Any surplus money raised will be donated to Athens Children Services.
“Once we learned the Athens Children's Services did something like that, we were able to get in connection with someone that could help us find children in need,” Buck said. “We just really thought that it would be something that we would be able to have a direct impact (on) many people with.”
Another service project taking place on campus is Adopt a Family, which is put on by the Residence Hall Association with the help of Hall Councils throughout campus.
Brayden Kaufman, a junior studying integrated social studies, and as vice president of finance for RHA, organizes Adopt a Family.
“RHA works with (Hall Councils) to fundraise to get gifts for the holidays for families in Athens that are less fortunate,” Kaufman said. “We work through the Athens County Children's Services. Then we match those Hall Council donations to meet that donation.”
Usually, RHA raises between $3,000 and $4,000 for Adopt a Family. This year, they are looking to once again meet their $4,000 goal.
“I think it's good for the residential community to hear that stuff like that is happening,” Kaufman said. “A lot of the time, hall councils might just be programming and putting on fun events and stuff. This is a good way to kind of expand what they do.”
Another large point of philanthropy on campus occurs through Sorority and Fraternity Life. Caroline Mattox, a junior studying journalism, discussed the importance of philanthropy around the holiday season.
“I believe that is very important, especially during the holiday season,” Mattox said. “I feel like the main purpose, at least for me, (of) Christmas, is giving gifts, giving back, celebrating everyone. I feel like a great way to do that is through volunteering and giving back time.”
Mattox’s sorority, Alpha Delta Pi, partners with Ronald McDonald House in Columbus. Once a month, the sorority takes a trip up to Columbus to volunteer with the organization. Mattox feels this trip is especially important during the holiday season.
“I remember last year I helped cook a full meal, and it was so great to be able to give back in that sense, even though it was just a few hours of my time, just seeing how much joy they had on their faces and how much light we got to bring,” Mattox said.
The holiday season is an opportunity for students to come together to participate in service projects and philanthropy, with various ways to help others.
