Thursday, December 3, 1998
The University Daily Kansan
Section B·Page 3
Holidays bring out many volunteers
By Karen Lucas Special to the Kansan
Alison Beck, Overland Park junior, attaches hardware to a bathroom door at a Habitat for Humanity sponsor house. Beck and other volunteers from KU helped build several Habitat houses that have been completed in Lawrence for low income families. Photo by Matt J. Daugherty/KANSAN
Volunteering in the community is one way many University of Kansas students will get into the holiday spirit this year.
Alison Beck, Overland Park junior, plans to volunteer during the holiday break for Habitat for Humanity, an organization that builds houses for less-fortunate families.
"They're kind of low on volunteers at Christmas, so therefore I'd like to help out." she said.
Beck, who has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity for the last four years, enjoys working closely with the families.
"When a house is done, you can tell how much it changes the children," she said. "It changes their whole outlook on life. You see an increase in their self-esteem."
While Beck works on houses, Clark Keffer, Lawrence junior, will serve breakfast to the poor during the holidays, including Christmas Day at Jubilee Cafe in Trinity Episcopal Church, 1011 Vermont St.
"I think at Christmas time there might be fairly big groups coming in," he said. "They probably will have spent their limited resources on gifts and other things."
Keffer said he expected it would be a busy time at the cafe.
The Social Service League Thrift Store. 905 Rhode Island St., is another local establishment that will get volunteer help from University students. Ranae Alderson, Lawrence senior, and Craig Sweets, Lawrence senior, plan to work at the store during the holiday period.
"It's not like any other thrift store," Sweets said. "It's more like
a community gathering place. It's not cold and impersonal. There's a sense of community."
Alderson echoed a similar view.
Aderson echoed a similar view. "They will come in and share their problems," she said. "They're looking for support and encouragement. It's a fascinating place to volunteer. You really feel like you're helping them out."
K. T. Walsh, manager of the Social Service League Thrift Store, has nothing but praise for her volunteer workers
"We're so grateful that Craig and Ranae have such giving hearts," Walsh said. "Even though they're such busy people, they're willing to donate their time during a frantic season."
Chenoa Simmons, Wichita senior, is volunteering her time at another kind of store. This week you can find her selling handcrafted items from developing countries at the Holiday Giving Market at Ecumenical Christian Ministries. All proceeds go to individuals living in those countries. Customers also can buy farm animals for poor people throughout the world.
"I'm supporting consumerism with a heart and a conscience," Simmons said.
Various living groups on campus also will get involved with the Lawrence community during the holiday season.
Members of Alpha Chi Omega sorority plan to participate in Santa's Workshop on Dec. 12 at Kennedy School, 1605 Davis Road. Children of low-income families will be able to buy bargain-rate gifts, which have been donated by local businesses. The volunteers will help them select and wrap presents for their families.
the immediate effect," said Meghan Collar, Leawood junior and member of Alpha Chi Omega. "You know that because of what you've done, the kid feels great."
"It's rewarding because you see
Volunteers from Kappa Sigma fraternity and Delta Gamma sorority also help less-privileged kids in Lawrence. They are sponsoring a Christmas party Saturday for a group of children and their families. Each child will receive a new toy that was purchased by the students.
The Rev. Thad Holcombe, campus pastor at ECM, spoke highly of the students' willingness to volunteer their time.
"It's exciting to see so many students involved in the community during the holiday season," he said. "Instead of focusing on themselves, they're participating with a sense of compassion in the community."
By Jake Istnick Special to the Kansan
Winter graduates face real world now
Some University of Kansas seniors who graduate in December have other things on their minds besides winter break.
"This winter break is not a break at all," said Jay Blackford, Wichita senior. "It is more of a dreaded beginning to the life that follows college. Although I know what I am going to be doing in January, it would be nice to have one more low-stress vacation before starting another enjoyable semester of classes, but I need to grow up sometime."
Blackford will be starting a new job with a computer software company in Wichita at the beginning of January. Some graduating seniors will take time into their own hands and extend their vacations this year.
According to the Office of Institutional Research and Planning at KU, most students graduate from the University in May.
Chris Thompson. Independence fifth-year senior said graduating in May made the reality of the real world a little easier to swallow.
"I am glad that I am here for an entire fifth year," said Thompson. "This way I graduate with a lot of fellow students, and I am not just thrown out on my own in the dead of winter, like the December graduates," Thompson said.
For December graduates, the norm seems to be to start a job in January. Although short, any vacation these seniors will have
"This winter break is not a break at all. It is more of a dreaded beginning to the life that follows college." Jay Blackford
Wichita senior
is better than nothing, said Brandon Grisamore, Overland Park senior.
"Well at least I don't have to go right from my last final to some office," Grisamore said. "I at least get to relax with nothing to do for a couple of weeks."
Unfortunately for some, the job world is eagerly awaiting their arrival. Ryan Laughon, Topeka senior, is starting a job with Arthur Anderson after graduation this December.
"I want at least a month off, but they want me to start as soon as possible, like before Christmas," said Laughon. "I will most likely start the job between Christmas and the new year."
Some December graduates, such as Scott Morrill, Denver senior, will be using the vacation as an opportunity to start the interview process.
"I have my first interview before Christmas, but after the first of the year I will have probably three interviews a week," Morrill said.
Even though the holiday break will not have the nostalgic feel, any break is a good one, Morrill said.
Holiday activities in the works for Med Center children
By Kimberly J. Erb Special to the Kansan
Children and the holidays seem to be synonymous with one another. The tiny tots dream of sugarplums, Santa and the rise before dawn to find the treasures that await them.
Unfortunately for the young patients of the University of Kansas Medical Center, the wonder of the holidays is tainted by the presence of doctors, medications and sometimes life-threatening illnesses.
"It's hard around Christmas, for everyone," said Kevin Maben, pediatric resident at the Med Center.
10-year-old Ayanna Hill gleefully puts the finishing touches on a pine cone snowman at the KU Medical Center pediatrics ward in Kansas City. Hill, a 4th grader, participated in
Amy Laughlin, Lawrence graduate student, said she understood the difficulty of enjoying the season under such serious circumstances. In 1996, Laughlin spent her holiday struggling to overcome breast cancer.
of December.
"The whole focus went off of Christmas and went to what we were going through," she said.
Davis is the pediatric education, Child Life and Family Room coordinator. She also is the director and coordinator of the holiday programs that take place each year in the KU Children's Center. She said special activities and events would take place throughout the month
However, the Med Center and its staff, along with volunteers from several charity organizations, dedicate their time and resources each year to insure that the magic of the holiday season is not lost for its young patients.
"I're real important for the kids," said Jill Ballou, staff nurse. "They help them take their minds off of their illnesses. They feel more at home. They don't feel as cheated."
Davis said that one of the most popular groups that came each year was the Chiefs 'offensive line.' The football players read stories, sign autographs and sing holiday carols with the children.
Another such organization is the 40 and Eight Club, which is a service club of the American Legion. This group has been bringing gifts for about 30 years. One of the members does woodworking and cuts out wooden toys that the children can decorate. Davis said.
Prudential, Henry and Burrows Realtors of Overland Park also take a special interest in the children of the Med Center. Each year, the employees of this group adopt several children as well as their families, often fulfilling entire wish-lists.
"We probably get more out of it as individuals than they get from getting it," said Eric Blackburn, associate broker. "It's just nice to give back to the community."
Members of the Lenexa Optimist Club provide the pediatric unit with monetary donations each Christmas and spend time playing games with the young patients, Davis said.
An organization called Pets for Life takes dogs dressed in Santa hats and reindeer antlers to the hospital to play with the children.
The Young Matrons also shares its time with the kids by providing
them with craft materials and helping them make gifts for their parents, Davis said.
Other organizations such as the Dream Factory, the Dream Machine and the Phi Mu sorority alumnae of the greater Kansas City area annually present the children with gifts, she said.
"I feel so fortunate," Davis said. "You can just see the ripple effect when someone in the community comes in.
Davis also said that Santa made at least one visit to the children at Christmas time.
Davis said that some of the biggest support for the children came from hospital employees. Each year between eight and 12 different employee groups adopt a family for the holidays.
Employees also provide the essential donations that maintain the KU Children's Center Family Room. The Family Room, which is entirely supported by employees of the hospital, serves as a haven for family members. Equipped with a stocked kitchen, dining area, full bath and shower, TV, and VCR, this room becomes the perfect place for families and patients to congregate during the holidays. Davis said the room allowed families to spend the holidays with their children in a comfortable environment.
"Our main focus at Christmas is to make sure we have opportunities for families and patients to be together," Davis said.
The children also have the opportunity to give to others during the holiday season. Each year, they
childlife activities that allow for entertainment and a break from monotonous hospital activity. Photo by MattJ. Daugherty/KANSAN
put together simple, inexpensive crafts that they then present to patients in adult units of the hospital, Davis said. This year, they will be making pine cones dipped in glitter. It has become a way for the children to appreciate the value of
giving to others in the spirit of the holidays, Davis said.
Once the crafts are completed, the children deliver them and sing carols to their recipients. Davis said this had become a touching event for adults as well as children.
About of 10 children will have to spend their holidays at the Med Center this year, said Ballou. However, with staff and community support the magic of the season will be preserved for them once again.
This holiday season, make sure that trees won't be the only things getting lit.
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