In honor of the Sesquicentennial celebration, organizers of the United Way’s annual “Give Thanks Give Back” holiday gift drive are hoping the University community adopts 150 families this year.
The Office of Student Activities began this support of the 100 Neediest Cases in 1998, when staff members adopted a single family through the Give Thanks Give Back campaign.
By 2001, the effort had evolved into a campus-wide program. Eighty-three families were adopted that year, the largest single contribution in the campaign’s history.
“The beauty of Give Thanks Give Back is that everyone can be involved,” said Tabitha Knerr, assistant coordinator of community service. “You can organize your office to adopt a family; you can make a tax-deductible donation; you can donate (brand new) clothes, or shoes or toys; you can bring your friends and family to a gift-wrapping party.
“Each of us has something to give.”
Individuals can adopt one member of a family on their own or groups can join together to adopt an entire family. When you sign up, you will be given clothing and shoe sizes for each person as well as a list of items they have requested.
Individuals can sign up in Mallinckrodt and Wohl student centers Oct. 27-Nov. 7. Groups can e-mail gtgb@restech.wustl.edu to get started.
Gifts will be collected Nov. 10-14, followed by volunteer gift-wrapping parties Nov. 15 and 22. Monetary donations are welcome as well.
For more information, call 935-9659.