In the Fall of each year the Health Science Club works with the
faculty, staff and students at LHU to embarked on a two month
annual endeavor to assist needy families with children (those
experiencing hardship; financial, job loss, death or disease of
family members) for sponsoring of their entire Christmas “wishes”
and various household items for the holidays. Many of these families
were some of the most poverty stricken families in the Lock Haven
area, and would have had little if anything under the Christmas
tree this year if it were not for the generosity of the Lock Haven
University faculty, staff and students.
The Health Science faculty, with the assistance of students from
the health science club, initiated and facilitated the sponsoring
of 25 families, with children, in Clinton County. These families
were identified by teachers and support staff within two of the
lowest income elementary schools in Central Mountain School District.
Seven foster children were also sponsored for Christmas. The gifts
provided included the "wishes" for each family member
including clothing, books/educational material, toys and household
products. Each child received at least one toy and educational
game or item, as well as cloths, shoes and socks. Many received
winter coats, gloves and hats. Departments throughout Lock Haven
University adopted one family and faculty and staff from that
department purchased all the “wishes” for that family.
Lock Haven University Students and various faculty and staff members
then delivered these items to the families the last week of classes.
2001 RESULTS
On November 29, 30 and December 3, 2001 LHU students, faculty
and staff delivered over 900 gifts (estimated at over $8,000 dollars)
and gift certificates (estimated at over $1,000 dollars) to 17
families (over 80 children and 26 adults) in Clinton County.
2002 ESTIMATED RESULTS AS OF 12/4/02
On December 4, 6 and 9, 2002 LHU students, faculty and staff will
be delivering an estimated 2000 gifts and gift certificates (estimated
at over $20,000 dollars) to 24 families (over 120 children and
40 adults) in Clinton County.
IN CONCLUSION
The response from the faculty, staff and students is heartwarming.
The generosity and caring of the university’s faculty and
staff, LHU students, outside contributors (Woolrich, Super Shoes,
Wal-Mart,), made this program successful and will continue to
make this program successful in the future. Many individual faculty
and their personal families adopted a “needy” family
themselves. In speaking with a particular faculty member they
said it is the event they look most forward to at Christmas and
they spend at least $1000 each year on a needy family. The faculty
is grateful to have this opportunity to serve their fellow community
member. This program also provides personal learning opportunities
for Lock Haven University students, and demonstrates a strong
collaborative effort across the university and community.
This program brought departments throughout the campus and the
university, school district, and community, together. The generosity
was not from one person, it was from hundreds of Lock Haven University
community giving generously to people they don’t even know.
The students involved with this project were impressed with
the generosity and level of commitment the faculty and staff demonstrated
throughout this project. The students were provided a unique opportunity
to participate in a true community service and gain respect and
understanding for the diversity within a community. One of the
most valuable outcomes was the role-modeling that took place from
this campus and how that will assist in developing civic-minded
young adults. The Adopt-A-Family program touches many lives and
builds trust between all, as well as creating a strong bond between
LHU departments, faculty, staff, students, the school district
and community members experiencing hardships. The Adopt-A-Family
program demonstrated that civic responsibility is still alive
and well on Lock Haven University campus and is being role modeled
for the future generations.
For more information call:
Beth McMahon, Ph.D.
893-2214 or email bmcmahon@lhup.edu
113 Himes Hall
Lock Haven University
