Holiday volunteers give to needy

By Amanda Hunt

Arizona Daily Wildcat

is the season of giving at the UA.

The holidays traditionally

mark the time of gift giving and goodwill, and many University of Arizona students are joining in.

The Salvation Army Angel Tree is located on the first level of the Student Union, and is sponsored in part by the Department of Student Programs.

Students, faculty and anyone wishing to donate can go to the booth to pick up a description of an "angel." The Christmas tree on display contains cards with the names and wishes of needy Tucsonans, including many children. Those who participate buy a gift and return it to the booth so the recipient can have a present for Christmas.

Volunteer Maria Barrow, a political science sophomore, said the tree has been an outstanding success and the volunteers have had to request more "angels" to fill the tree on several occasions.

Fraternities and sororities have been revolving volunteers for the booth, said Jocelyn Nelms, a director at Project Volunteer, which is part of the Department of Student Programs.

Krista Voss, a rehabilitation senior, said that although many students do not have much money, they try to do what they can to help. Students have paired up and shared an "angel" to cut the cost and several departments have pitched in to adopt more than one angel, she added.

"You see a lot of good feelings," she said.

"We have something to give to someone who really needs it," said Phyllis Pradd, the computer science department business manager. Pradd and others in her department are joining to adopt several angels, and she said, "there couldn't be a better time of year to donate."

The Angel Tree booth in the Student Union will be accepting donations up until the end of the semester, Dec. 14.

Casa de los Ni¥os, a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing child abuse, is sponsoring a Haircutting Marathon on Dec. 4 from noon to 8 p.m. in conjunction with Champs Hair Salon and several Greek organizations. Haircuts will be given for $10 at the salon. The money will be donated to children and parents in Casa de los Ni¥os.

Anyone interested in donating should contact the salon for an appointment.

Casa de los Ni¥os, the Pio Decimo Center and ReSolve, Inc. are also sponsoring a diaper drive for the month of December. The donations will benefit children served in Pio Decimo and Casa de los Ni¥os. Anyone wishing to donate can drop off contribution at ReSolve, Inc. at 4433 E. Broadway Blvd.

In addition to the Angel Tree, the Salvation Army and the Department of Student Programs are sponsoring an Adopt-a-Family program. Several campus clubs and organizations already lent their support over the Thanksgiving holiday by providing dinner for needy families and many will continue with this program over Christmas by donating dinner and gifts to a family, Nelms said.

Holiday Wish is another program sponsored by the Department of Student Programs and KRQ radio station. There are various cannisters in Student Union businesses for students to donate their loose change. The station reads holiday wishes from needy families on the air, and the UA will grant two of these wishes with the money raised, Nelms said.

This Sunday, Project Volunteer will also be providing a holiday dinner for the elderly, Nelms said.

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