HIGH POINT, N.C., Dec. 22, 2016 – The High Point University family gives back in countless ways throughout the year, and their spirit of giving is amplified during the holiday season. HPU students, faculty and staff gave back to the community more than ever before this Christmas.
In total, HPU touched more than 24,000 lives.
Community Christmas
High Point University’s sixth annual Community Christmas welcomed more than 20,000 members of the community to campus. Attendees enjoyed a life-size Nativity scene, falling snow, Polar Express train rides, hot food and visits with Santa Claus.
“This is a good family event that’s well organized and has something for all ages to enjoy,” Glennett Morning, a High Point resident, said. “My aunt loves walking around campus to see the lights and get hot chocolate, and my son loves the bounce houses and the arcade. Every year we notice that it gets better and better. The shuttles are very smooth, especially being able to wait inside Oak Hollow Mall. Everyone is helpful and genuine and full of the holiday spirit.”
Angel Tree Program
The HPU Board of Stewards gave gifts to 75 families in the Triad. Every year, 100 percent of the fall semester offering from HPU Chapel services goes to the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program. This year they raised $7,500.
“This is something the Board of Stewards has done for decades; it’s a staple in our community,” said Tiffany Jones, the group’s leader who helped organize the event along with nearly a dozen other students. “We say often that because we’ve been blessed, we’d like to give back. We pick out gifts with a specific child in mind and think about what they’d really like to have or play with on Christmas.”
Stuff a Stocking Campaign
The HPU community has embraced the Salvation Army’s Stuff a Stocking Campaign again this year by filling 1,100 stockings. HPU’s gift of 1,100 filled more than 70 percent of the Salvation Army’s 1,600 stocking goal. Those stockings will be distributed to children in the community as a way to brighten their Christmas morning.
In addition to the Angel Tree gifts, the HPU Community Center will serve as this year’s collection and distribution hub for the Salvation Army of High Point’s Angel Tree program. Families will come to the center to pick up gifts for more than 2,000 children.
“This event is important for me as Student Government Association president because I was part of a family who received gifts like this when I was younger,” said Rachel Callaway, HPU senior. “When I was approached with this opportunity, I knew I wanted to make it something big. I think it’s important for our students to see that we’re giving back to the community and the people around us.”
Family Services of Davidson County
The Nido R. Qubein School of Communication bought gifts for several families, some from the Hattie Lee Burgess home, a safe haven for domestic violence victims in Davidson County. These gifts included a bike and helmet, a skateboard, a Minecraft Playstation game, Legos, makeup and accessories, clothes, towels, blankets, movies and an assortment of many other toys.
“The families are always very appreciative, and without the generosity of folks like the ones at HPU, they would not otherwise have Christmas for their children,” said Danette Edwards, shelter coordinator. “I see the moms when they receive the gifts and they are always so very grateful and full of emotions. It makes my heart feel good to know that we were able to assist in making their holiday a little brighter.”
Student Council for Exceptional Children
With their dancing shoes on and huge grins on their faces, individuals with disabilities from the community enjoyed a Holiday Dance at the Morehead Recreation Center on Dec. 6 organized by HPU’s Student Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).
The participants were treated to refreshments, Bingo, a cake walk and made holiday crafts. A visit from Santa and plenty of time on the dance floor rounded out an evening of festivities and fellowship. Each participant with disabilities also took home a blanket and hand-crafted ornament from the event.
“As the chair for this event it is always so humbling to see what an impact a group of volunteers can have on such a well-deserving community,” says Christina Honeycutt, chairperson of the event. “We danced until we dropped, made crafts and got a surprise visit from Santa and one of his helpers. High Point’s special needs community reminds us that the holidays are not just for presents, they are for time spent with the people who enrich your lives in ways you can’t explain. I’ve always said these dances are more than just a dance. They are a reminder of the joy you can bring to someone when you take the time to get to know them.”
UNC Children’s Hospital
HPU’s Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and the HPU community made Christmas cards for children at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Medical Center in hopes of making their holidays brighter.
“Sigma loves giving students the opportunity to make holiday cards for the kids at the UNC Children’s Hospital,” said Jackie Poolos, sorority president. “Our chapter has helped fund the play therapy wing there and we’ve been blessed to see firsthand where our funds go. Many of the kids may not get the opportunity to be at home for the holidays, so this is just one way to let them know that someone is thinking of them during this busy season!”
Boys and Girls Club
HPU’s Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity hosted a Christmas party for members of the Boys and Girls Club at West End Ministries on Nov. 30.
“It was a wonderful experience to partner with the Boys and Girls Club for the second year,” said Cassandra Diaz, service chairman for Alpha Kappa Psi. “We wanted to spread holiday cheer, and seeing the faces of the children light up made all of the planning and preparation so worth it.”
Kirkman Elementary School
With the help of HPU’s Student Government Association and other campus organizations, the junior class donated 50 holiday meal baskets to Kirkman Elementary School in an effort to make sure no child goes hungry over Christmas break.
Impact Christmas
High Point University’s Impact Club, a Christian service organization, hosted the event Impact Christmas for members of the community. At the event, Impact Club members offered gifts to families who have children enrolled in the Boys and Girls Club. These families each received five $1 gifts, two $10 gifts and one $15 gift.