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College to Host "Santa's Workshop" Dec. 3

Posted on Monday, November 22, 2010

Westminster College's Civic Engagement Council will host a "Santa's Workshop" gift wrapping event Friday, Dec. 3, from 7-9 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 for children in grades K-12 are being accepted at Westminster's Career Center or Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. Used items will be cleaned, packaged, and gift-wrapped for distribution to needy children through Lawrence County's Community Action Partnership, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Crisis Shelter, and Walker Neighborhood House, all in New Castle; and Southwest Gardens in Farrell.

This is the second 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.

Council member Jackie Meade, director of Westminster's Career Center, is pleased with the results of the first workshop, which included over 40 Westminster student volunteers and more than 100 donations for local children. "We appreciate the support from Westminster's Drinko Center, Student Government Association's Service Committee, Westminster's Greek community, and the members of Lambda Sigma honor fraternity to make the event so successful," she said.

This year's workshop is coordinated by Jeff Ledebur, Drinko Center community service coordinator. Senior elementary education major Suzanne Palumbo, president of Westminster First Book, is assisting Ledebur. First Book is donating books for the event.

Palumbo is a daughter of James and Leilani Palumbo, Schenectady, N.Y., and a graduate of Kearney R-I High School.

Contact Ledebur at (724) 946-6194 or e-mail ledebujt@westminster.edu for more information.