Hollins Gives For The Holidays

By: Katie Pellett

Posted: 12/13/09

This holiday season, many clubs and organizations on the Hollins campus are holding events to raise funds and goods for people in need.

On Tuesday, December 1 from 4:30-7PM the Hollins Habitat for Humanity Club held a gingerbread house competition in the Glass Dining Room. The cost for students to participate was $2 with all proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity. Students used graham crackers, frosting, gum drops and other assorted candy to decorate the cardboard houses.

"In the holiday spirit, we thought it would be a good idea," said Amanda Gray '12, Habitat for Humanity Club President. The 1st and 2nd place winners received prizes donated from local businesses. One prize was a gift certificate from Nawab Indian Cusine.

Professor Jeanette Barbieri acted as judge for the event. "There were enthusiastic participants," she said, "people were creative and festive and seasonal. While the gingerbread houses were less than completely appetizing, they were very artistically made."

The Pick an Angel/Be a Santa drive, organized by S.H.A.R.E., was held from Tuesday, December 1 through Wednesday, December 9.

"We have five children and five elderly that we're sponsoring," said Tiffany Allen '10, a member of S.H.A.R.E.

During this time, students, faculty and staff were given the option of signing up to sponsor a person, buy items like a sweater or teddy bear, or donate money for needy children and elderly. Allen considers the event a success.

"It's been pretty great," said Allen.

On Thursday, December 3, two children and four out of the five elderly members had already been sponsored in full.

Horizon Students Elisabeth Bass and Lisa Brown organized a drive to benefit Turning Point, a local battered women's shelter, and Forest Park Academy, a low-income high school. Students and faculty can give any personal hygiene item, like soap, or donate $1 to the cause. Bass and Brown were motivated by their work at Pier One.

"We have a lot of pretty little soaps, smell good soaps and battered women you think about how they probably feel inside and about themselves and self-esteem and something that smells nice would make them feel good," said Brown.

Bass was also interested in sending any unused items from the shelter to Forest Park Academy in Roanoke City where a lot of students come from underprivileged families. Bass and Brown are amazed by the response from fellow Horizon Students and Professors.

"We're really surprised and really grateful," said Bass. "Now we have enough soap to take to the Turning Point and plenty left over to take to Forest Park Academy," Brown said. "Keep it coming."

Items can be donated through December 18. Students and faculty may drop off the items on campus at either Eastnor or the DuPont Chapel. They can also contact Bass at HYPERLINK "mailto:EBass@hollins.edu" EBass@hollins.edu or Brown at HYPERLINK "mailto:LBrown@hollins.edu" LBrown@hollins.edu.

As Brown said the importance of holiday charities is all about, "Helping someone else this Christmas and not looking at Christmas as all about you and doing something for someone else."