news
the oracle, December 2, 2003
Greeks giving to the Community during the HOLIDAYS
story by morgan wallace
photo by ashley smith
Local children went Trick-or-Treating with the help of sorority and fraternity members.
Giving back to the community is always an integral part of Greek life especially during the holidays. As the season nears, more help is needed among the less fortunate, and there are many opportunities for students to get involved and help throughout Lawrence.
This Holiday spirit continues all year long. During the Halloween season, members of sororities and fraternities participated in local functions to ulitmately benefit the children. Some of the nursing homes allowed Trick-or-Treaters to collect candy in a safe environment. This outreach benefitted not only the children who participated, but the nursing home residents, who were reminded of their grandchildren when they saw the smiling faces on the gobblins and fairy princesses. This community service efforts extend throughout the Thanksgiving and Winter Holiday season.
The Roger Hill Volunteer Center, as a part of United Way of Douglas County. Inc., recently distributed a brochure listing many ways to "make someone's holiday season especially bright." Among the list are organizations collecting Christmas presents as the season nears.
Adopt-A-Child is taking gifts such as "clothing, CDs, electronic items books or school supplies." Adopt-A Family and Adopt A Grandparent are
also taking much needed Christmas gifts for less fortunate families and Mother to Mother is in need of "small toys for boys and girls."
The women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. are taking part in the Adopt A Family program from December 1-11.
"We'll have a table set up weekdays in the Kansas Union lobby for donations," said the chapter's president, Candace Haines.
Other organizations throughout Douglas county are taking donations of winter clothing as it starts to get colder.
The Community Drop In Center needs donations of "gloves, socks, knit hats, blankets and coats," according to the Roger Hill Volunteer center.
"We are collecting donations of winter clothing for the children at the Brook Creek Learning Center, a daycare for underprivileged children (ages infant-5) in the Lawrence Community" said Kappa Delta president Amy Waldron. "We are going to donate them as early Christmas presents for the children."
The women of Kappa Delta will also be collecting similar donations during the month of December.
Donating is an essential part of helping the community, but there are many other ways to help. One such way is through the Holiday Shop of the
Lawrence Arts Center, taking place December 12-13.
According to the program's coordinator, Kelly Randall, students can "dress up as elves and help kids shop for Christmas gifts for their friends and families."
Volunteers will help the children shop in set-up stores filled with donated gifts throughout the Lawrence Arts Center. Interested students can call Randall at 843-2072.
The Christmas Toy Shop of the Salvation Army is a similar community project. Volunteers are needed
December 8-12 to assist kids in shopping from December 15-17. Students interested should call 843- 4188.
Numerous other opportunities for volunteer involvement lie within community holiday meals. The Salvation Army's "Holiday Banquet for the Homeless" will be served December 3, and Jubilee Café is constantly looking for volunteers between the hours of 6am and 9pm especially during the holidays, when giving back to the community is more important than ever.