Students in Holiday Spirit of Giving Back
BY VIRGINIA HALL
11/19/07

Hilltop


The students of Howard University have taken the initiative to participate in service projects which give back to the District's community in time for the holiday season.

Organizations such as Circle K International will be continuing annual service projects, as well as offering new community service opportunities.

Lauren Whitten, fundraising co-chair for Circle K International, is very excited about the service projects for this season.

"This year, we will continue to prepare Thanksgiving food baskets, as well host our annual toy drive shortly after the break," she said.

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Alpha chapter is also collecting donations for their "2nd Annual Thanksgiving Food Basket Program." At $20 per basket, the families are provided with an 8 to 10 lb. turkey with all the trimmings.

To further encourage student involvement and community service, WHUR partnered with Bread for the City to sponsor "Food2Feed" on Friday, a radio-thon dedicated to raising money and awareness for the thousands of District residents that would otherwise go hungry this holiday season.

Last year, over 9,700 Thanksgiving baskets were prepared by private non-profit Bread for the City and student volunteers.

The 12-hour radio-thon hosted by the Steve Harvey Morning Show has been publicized for over a month with aspirations of providing 13,000 families in need with a holiday meal.

Adrienne Ammerman, development associate at Bread for the City said, "WHUR and Howard University staff and students have really pitched in, [providing] volunteers, time and contributions."

The Office of Residence Life provided charter buses and breakfast to over 50 volunteers that spanned the Old Post Office Pavilion from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday.

Freshman biology major Ariana Green said, "Participating in WHUR's 'Food2Feed' gave me a strong sense of responsibility for my community." WHUR and Bread for the City collected over $50,000 in cash to feed the community this year.



The Homeless Walk has become another staple service project on campus. Organizations ranging from the Howard University Student Association to various state clubs to the National Pan-Hellenic Council, and everyone in between participate each year.

The Chapel Assistants are one of the many organizations keeping with tradition this season with the continuation of annual events.

"The Angel Tree has become a staple for us. We have been participating for over five years and plan to continue," said Melanie Chambliss, last year's first vice president.

The Chapel impacts the lives of over 300 children each year with this program. The Chapel Assistants will have a table in the lower level of Blackburn until Nov. 26 for those that wish to donate.

Other popular service projects on campus include supply drives and the collection of cash donations.

The last month alone has brought about shoe, coat and canned food drives.

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Xi chapter and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Alpha chapter co-sponsored a canned food drive together to ensure that the organizations each made an impact on the community this holiday season.

Byron Lockhart, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. feels that serving our communities should never be looked upon as a burden.

"Supporting the community is the responsibility of everyone that has the ability to do so," he said. "It is what has ensured the survival of blacks time and time again."

While some students will use their breaks for well-deserved rest and recuperation from mid-terms and stressful responsibilities, it is important to remember to find time during the holidays to give back to the surrounding communities.