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Staff, students work together to assist local children |
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Tuesday, 31 October 2006 |
by ALLISON CASEY
Lifestyles Reporter
This year, the Appalachian family is working together to help local families for the holidays.
The
26th Annual Appalachian Children’s Shopping Spree, formerly “Give a
Child a Christmas,” is under way with the help from Appalachian State
University professors and students.
Guidance counselors at nine Watauga County schools select 84 children for the Appalachian State Staff Council to take shopping.
The selected students receive a breakfast and a backpack full of
donated school supplies before heading out to shop for essential winter
items, committee co-chairperson Denise S. Marsh said.
“We’ve gotten a lot of support from local businesses,” she said. “A lot of them give us discounts.”
The committee hopes to raise $12,600, enough for each child to have $150 to spend, Marsh said.
Envelopes are passed around different departments to collect
donations, which have been coming in steadily, Marsh said. The money
goes to help the selected children purchase essential items like coats
and boots.
“A lot of these children buy what they need and want to spend the rest
on items for their families,” Marsh said. “They really appreciate it.
It’s very sweet and humbling.”
Senior criminal justice major Meagan E. Honaker made 160 scarves and hats for the children.
Honaker made enough to give to the children this year and next, Marsh said.
Honaker got involved in the program last year because she works with a
committee member in the department of institutional research assessment
planning.
Honaker’s grandmother taught her how to crochet and last year she
decided to make a few scarves. Over the summer, Honaker, her mother and
her grandmother handmade the fleece hats and scarves for the children.
Making the scarves was a bonding experience for the three women, Honaker said.
She received recognition for her efforts at an Appalachian State Staff Council meeting.
Marsh said students are not able to take the children shopping for
liability reasons, but they can donate money and needed items, sponsor
a child or help assemble backpacks.
“Students could give money, sew scarves or go through their closet and
donate their extra sweaters and coats they’re not going to wear,”
Honaker said. “It’s good to know it’s going to a good cause and not
just to Goodwill.”
To make a donation or to volunteer, contact Janice Voss at
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