For the second consecutive year, the Huntington University Gerontology Society (HUGS) will collect gifts for local older adults throughout the holiday season.
Last year, this student-led initiative was successful in acquiring more than 50 gifts for long-term care residents in Greater Sudbury.
The packages, donated as part of Huntington University’s 2015 Christmas Giving Tree campaign, were presented to long-term care residents at Finlandia Village and Pioneer Manor on Christmas day.
“The response to this campaign in 2015 was astounding, and we are looking to build on that success this year by expanding our initiative to include a third long-term care home in Sudbury,” said Laura Palmer, HUGS President.
“Many older adults are at risk of social isolation, especially during times of celebration, such as Christmas. As such we want to support older adults in our community by distributing gifts to long-term care residents at Finlandia Village, Pioneer Manor, and Extendicare - York.”
“I commend the students from HUGS for their initiative and commitment to growing the scope of this student-led community project,” said Kevin McCormick, president of Huntington University.
“This campaign is a prime example of how lessons move beyond the classroom to have a greater impact in the community at large. I encourage all students, staff, faculty and Sudburians to support this cause and help ensure this holiday season is a happy one for our aged population.”
Members of the public wishing to participate in this initiative can contact Palmer at 705-665-3543.
For those on campus, participation is easy:
- Take a tag off the Christmas tree located near room 117 at Huntington University.
- Purchase the requested gift.
- Wrap the gift and attach a card.
- Drop off the wrapped gift, with the tree tag, by Nov. 30 to Huntington University’s reception office (room 101).
The reception office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
