Campus Community Cheerfully Gives

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Photograph by Katy Murray

Collecting Gifts — Members of Chi Iota Sigma show off the presents they collected in front of the division of CIS's Christmas tree. Kneeling (from left): President Karl Vesecky, Kaylon Langford, Tillie Russell.  Standing (from left): Katie Thornton, Samantha Bunting, Vice President Jessica Jarvis.

   Various philanthropic activities have been put into motion by organizations and members of the University of Arkansas – Monticello community this semester.

   Such opportunities to give assistance included a canned food drive, a coat drive, toy collection, a book drive and a fund-raiser that all help spread the charity around to many people. 

   The CIS club, Chi Iota Sigma, collected non-perishable food items for its annual Thanksgiving food drive. CIS members collected 550 cans and donated them to Holmes Chapel Presbyterian Church for use in its food pantry. Another CIS drive collected a handful of coats to be donated to the same church for its annual coat drive and distribution. 

   "As a sponsor, I am proud of the accomplishments of Chi Iota Sigma," instructor of computer information systems Terri Hopkins said. "These students have taken on community service projects and excelled. They promote, collect and distribute the goods." 

   Club members also collected toys for children for the Drew County Angel Tree, wrapping approximately 20 gifts for distribution this year. According to Jean Hendrix, associate professor of computer information systems, the club's activities vary widely and even include their current aluminum-can recycling project in the Babin Business Center. 

   The School of Arts and Humanities can also claim a part in the charity performed this semester with its second annual book drive. This activity continues through Dec. 20, when the books collected will be delivered to the Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Home for Children. For those who would like to still contribute, new or nearly new books for children ages 9 to 18 can be brought to the Book Tree in room 112 of the Memorial Classroom Building. Cash or checks to buy new books for the children are also accepted.  

Photograph by Katy Murray

Canned Foods — Chi Iota Sigma Vice President Jessica Jarvis stands with the canned food items that the club donated.

   "So far we have 30 books under the tree, which is enough to give each kid one book with two books left over," said Julie Sparks, assistant professor of English. "Last year we collected a lot more than this, and there are still 11 days to go, so I am hoping we can get enough to give each child at least two books. Last year we also got generous cash donations toward the end of the drive, so I am remaining hopeful." 

   For more information on the book drive, contact the Arts and Humanities Office at 460-1078 or Sparks at 460-1489. 

   Another opportunity to contribute comes in a fund-raiser through The Salvation Army Local Service Unit. The funds will aid emergency assistance in Drew County. Volunteers spend an hour of their time "manning" the bucket and ringing an official red-and-white bell. This year's early start responds to everything being previously spent on hurricane relief. For more information about how to help with this activity call 357-3966 or contact Linda Webster, professor of Speech Communication, at webster@uamont.edu. 

   The various charity functions provide much needed assistance to those less fortunate. All students, faculty and staff are always encouraged to participate.