As the aftermath of Thanksgiving washes away, much of the world prepares for the longest holiday season in the year, and the festivities for big holidays like Christmas, one of the most celebrated holidays in the world, begin.
Kean’s Union campus is no different, but with the festive mood also comes the spirit of generosity, and this Fall semester, several organizations, clubs, and departments hosted exactly 11 events during the month of December to give back to the community and help provide children, women and families with holiday fun.
“I think getting involved is so important, and the best way to get involved is through community service,” said Alex McGay, a sophomore, elementary education major and Secretary of Helping Younger Hands, a club focused on spotlighting the challenges that children face when they don’t have the same privileges as some of their peers and helping them through service work.
McGay and the Helping Younger Hands teams hosted Operation Christmas Basket along with Kean’s SGA on December 4. The event required students to help wrap already provided gifts to prepare a donation to Bernice’s Place, an after-school and Summer program that helps homeless and at-risk youth.
And the acts of kindness don’t stop there.
Just two days before, the Office of Campus Ministry would host another volunteering event where students could create cards for women and families in need who seek the help of Mercy House, a residence geared towards women who need shelter.
Many of the campus events would continue to be similar, like Operation Santa: Gift Wrapping and Volunteer Event presented by the Lesniak Institute for American Leadership, Bernice’s Place Holiday Boutique and St. Joseph’s Social Service Outreach Event, both hosted by Center for Leadership and Service (CLS) a huge source for civic engagement opportunities on campus.
In addition to gift wrapping, toy drives seem to become a popular way to give back on campus, and many campus organizations like Omega Phi Chi (OPC), the National Council of Negro Women(NCNW), Chi Upsilon Sigma (CUS), and Theta Phi Alpha (TPA) hosted one day only, and several events for toy drive donations and bake sales to raise money and buy children gifts they can’t get themselves.
“I think that most of us are more privileged than we think, and it’s good to give back to those in need," said Natalia Andeliz, a senior Global Business major and member of OPC Inc., a multicultural sorority on campus. "I think it's amazing to see all the students that came to support our toy drive, and it just shows what we can do when we all come together."
Other holiday events included a Gingerbread House Workshop at the Liberty Hall Museum and Skating With Santa, both hosted by CLS and worked by student volunteers to help children get in on the holiday fun through creative activities and ice-skating.
The Holiday season is for community building, and Kean is proof of that because Kean University is all about community, and its sense of unity only grows stronger. May the spirit of giving never leave the hearts of Kean’s students, staff, and faculty. Happy Holidays Cougars!
