Skip to main content

College to Host "Santa's Workshop" Dec. 2

Posted on Monday, November 28, 2011

Westminster College's Civic Engagement Council and Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning will host a "Santa's Workshop" gift wrapping event Friday, Dec. 2, from 4-6 p.m. in the Witherspoon Lakeview Room of the McKelvey Campus Center.

Donations of new and gently-used toys, books, board games, and winter clothing and new hygiene products for children in grades K-12 are being accepted at the Drinko Center.  Used items will be cleaned, packaged, and gift-wrapped for distribution to needy children by members of Westminster's Mortar Board, Omicron Delta Kappa, and Lambda Sigma honor societies.

This is the third year for the project that was proposed by Council member Dr. Sherri Pataki, Westminster assistant professor of psychology.  She suggested families may have toys and clothes that have been outgrown or replaced but still have many hours of useful life.  The emphasis on revitalizing used items and giving them new purpose became the focus around which the project was created.

Last year's event involved 40 students and more than 120 donations that went to children in Lawrence and Mercer counties.

The workshop is coordinated by Jeff Ledebur, Drinko Center community service coordinator.  Senior Spanish major Bryce Beeghley is assisting Ledebur. 

Beeghley is a son of Randall and Darci Beeghley of Connellsville and a graduate of Connellsville Area High School.

"Growing up, I knew a lot of families who had a very difficult time during the holidays," Beeghley said.  "We wanted to help but wanted to do more than just give out toys.  We wanted to give children and families items they can use all year.  Having the opportunity to help deliver  the items and see which children receive them is really special and makes the experience more personal."

"Santa's Workshop is so much more than just donating gifts to those in need," Ledebur said.  "It is about Westminster students seeing a need and finding ways to fill that need.  It really shows how much they care and want to support others in our communities."

The Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning was created to enrich undergraduate education at Westminster through advancing world-class teaching as well as by participating in collaborations that address community and regional needs.  Click here for more information about the Drinko Center and its programs.

Contact Ledebur at (724) 946-6194 or email for more information.