Campus Holiday Generosity Benefits Children, Families

Toys for Tots again has its collection box in the lobby of the Public Safety Building; the Housing Holiday Helpers are busy with food and gift gathering from the 225 employees of Housing and Residential Services (H&RS); Facilities Management staff are gearing up to "adopt" families for the holidays again this year; and the Professional Women's Association (PWA) is deep into preparation for its annual bash for Isla Vista's children.

Yup, it's beginning to feel a lot like the holidays at UCSB.

Though many offices and departments get into the season's spirit with efforts large and small, the following activities hint at the community opportunities available to potential participants. They also suggest what fellow employees have accomplished for others in the past.

Last year, the 17-person committee that formed the backbone for H&RS' Housing Holiday Helpers decided to aid the I.V. Youth Projects, the Youth Recreation Program, and Santa Barbara-based Transition House. Organizer Kim Dwire reported that donations, which came from all of housing's units, provided 25 gifts and three boxes of food to the youth projects, and another 35 gifts to the recreation program. The homeless families at Transition House received three dozen children's outfits, school and hygiene supplies, and 45 gifts.

This season, H&RS helpers are looking at new projects in addition to the I.V. groups, Dwire noted. "We plan to donate $250 to Transition House," she said, and some of the children in the recreation program will go caroling at Friendship Manor.

Kathryn "Kat" Leach and Mary Lamarca in the Physical Facilities Department of Facilities Management report that their unit has helped families of various sizes the past two years and plans to support a family of nine this year. "People around here were incredibly generous, including those who were not well off," said Lamarca.

"Adopted" families, which range from a single parent and child upward, are part of the Salvation Army's Christmas Assistance Programs. The families, which are screened and identities kept private, provide a wish list to their anonymous sponsors along with clothing sizes and preferences. Dec. 20 is this year's deadline for delivery of the gifts. At press time, 35 of 261 needy families had been adopted.

If both families and sponsors wish to meet, explained Sandra Jamison of the Salvation Army, arrangements will be made for the day of distribution. A short service is part of this ceremony.

Jamison, who can be reached at 964-8738, ext. 10, said that with a $100 donation individual children can also be adopted for a day of clothes and toy shopping. Dec. 16 has been chosen as shopping day this year.

PWA plans a Dec. 14 party for 140 kids from 5 to 6 p.m. at Isla Vista Elementary School. Santa (Julio Kruttschmitt) will be bilingual. Volunteer helpers should contact Laurie Ritchie at x3773.