Volunteers provide food, toys to area needy this holiday season

By Kara Swarbrick
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

Before getting swept up in the holiday brouhaha of bright lights and Christmas cards, returns and maxed-out credit cards, students and faculty alike are choosing to get back to the real meaning of Christmas by helping out their fellow man and volunteering or donating to a worthy cause.

There are many volunteer activities being put on by various groups on campus this season, according to the Office of Volunteer Programs at Norwich.

"We have already had a lot of different types of community service events," said Sam Steiner, 20, a junior psychology major from Buffalo, N.Y. "Some of them have been to the Vermont Food Bank, clean-up projects for Northfield, and some things at the Battered Women shelter."

"Every year the office of volunteer programs helps out the organization called C.E.R.V. (Community Emergency Relief Volunteers) located in Northfield," said Nicole DiDomenico, Director of volunteer programs at Norwich. "They provide food and clothing for local Northfield residents."

This year the organization is giving out Christmas food baskets to families recognized by social services. People can bring nonperishable items to the volunteer office in Harmon Hall until Dec. 10. The food will then be distributed to the community.

"There is also a tree lighting ceremony going on December 8," DiDomenico said.

Each year, a tree is set up in the campus cafeteria with tags telling what a particular child needs, or wishes for, most this Christmas, whether it be a pair of pants or a new winter coat.

"Individuals pull off the names and commit to buying that item for that child," DiDomenico said.

While Toys for Tots is usually an annual activity put on by the Marines, this year it is not taking place. The Office of Volunteer Programs is collecting toys for the Northfield community, instead; donations can be dropped off at the office.

There will also be volunteer service trips to other campuses and organizations.

"Some of the upcoming events are for AIDS awareness and a few more visits to the Vermont Food Bank," Steiner said.

"We are helping out at a function up at UVM for AIDS national awareness week," DiDomenico said. "On the evening of Dec. 6, one of our students will be speaking, and they are going to have certain sections of the AIDS quilt there."

The last week of Winter Break, volunteers are participating in several alternative break trips to the Heifer Project, "giving students awareness in hunger and third world nation lifestyles" and to Crotched Mountain, a preparatory school and rehabilitation center for children with disabilities, according to Steiner.

C.E.R.V. is the main group that organizes local community service activities, and Norwich's volunteer office is responsible for getting the word out on campus and acting as a "temporary collection center for any students or faculty who want to drop off items here," according to DiDomenico.

Norwich also serves as a drop off point for the clothing drives at the end of each semester, said DiDomenico.

"C.E.R.V. has come to grow pretty dependent on Norwich to help out, especially during this time, and not just by the students but by faculty, staff and administration, as well," DiDomenico said. "We have had a really good response so far from a lot of staff members who want to bring us food for the baskets."

"This year, we have had an amazing response to our efforts and have had a lot of people attend or take part in just about everything," said Steiner. "It makes us really excited and motivated to recruit more and more people."

The office welcomes volunteers of all kinds and with all different levels of skill or experience.

"People might not have the time or desire to dedicate a few hours sorting food or actually making the baskets," DiDomenico said. "But they might be willing to just go into their cupboards and pick out stuff and bring it in, and they are considered donors."

"I participate because of my love for helping people," Steiner said. "It warms my heart when I know that I can help anyone with any talents that I have to offer."

"I get an amazing feeling of fulfillment that I am putting everything that was given to me back to my community and society."

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