The Elon 101 section led by Dr. George Padgett – all Journalism Communications Fellows – conducted a Christmas Cheer charity project that raised more than $600 to be spent on food and gifts for a needy area family that includes two parents, two teens and a 3-year-old.
Students in the group include Jason Boyer, Calley Grace, Justin Hite, Kristen Kennedy, Andrew Martin, Kristopher Moody, Krista Naposki, Jeffrey Rickel, Amanda Schlak, Brittanie Schroyer, Brittany Smith and Michael Spears.
Elon 101 TA Ashley Feibish, a sophomore Communications Fellow, played a major role in working to coordinate the efforts of the group.
“I wanted to do some kind of a service project,” Padgett explained. “The 101 students were enthusiastic from the beginning. We visited the family mid-semester to talk about their needs. The students raised the money from friends, family and faculty members. They went shopping, and I took wrapping paper, bows, etc., to our last class for the semester and they wrapped the gifts.”
Gifts included dolls, educational toys, books and clothes for the 3-year-old; CDs, DVDs and shoes for the older girls; food and gas certificates for the mom; and a gift certificate to Outback for a parents’ night out.
“We delivered the presents to the Mom on Reading Day,” Padgett said. “She was thrilled, extremely appreciative. Five of the students went with me to deliver the presents. It was a good project. The family will have a happier Christmas because of the efforts our students made.”