Campus Life gives back to students in need

By Megan Murphy

Editor-in-Chief

The Angel Tree is set up in the Farber Building lobby each year.

s December gets underway and the semester wanes, many people on campus are looking forward to celebrating the holidays with their families. However, the holiday season can also be a difficult time for those with financial hardship. For Crowder students in this situation, there is the Angel Tree, an annual project that Campus Life puts together to make the holidays more festive for students in need.

“[We’ve done this] as long as anyone can remember,” said Mark Aubuchon, Campus Life director. “[I’m] not sure – [it’s] been around a long time.

Applications are due towards the beginning of November, and eligible students are selected for the tree. A large Christmas tree is set up in Farber Hall, and paper angels are placed on it for people to take.

“Any student who is full time with children 15 years old or younger who qualifies for Pell is eligible– from any Crowder location,” said Aubuchon.

A Pell Grant is money from the federal government allocated for for undergraduate students with financial needs, according to the U.S. Department of Education.  tudents must be taking 12 or more credit hours per semester to count as full time.

All angels on the tree represent one child selected through the application process. Over 60 angels were on the tree this year from 27 families here at Crowder. Each angel stated the child’s clothing sizes and gift suggestions. Campus Life recommended that $50-$75 should be spent on each angel.

Some people turn in their gifts wrapped, but there will also be a wrapping party on Friday, Dec. 1 for anyone who wants to help, according to Aubuchon.

The angels were turned in on Nov. 30 and will start to go out on Monday, Dec. 4 with a food basket and a turkey.

“[Recipients] will pick them up from the Fireside Room – unless they cannot make it to the Neosho location. In that situation, the food and gifts will be sent to the off-site locations for pick up,” said Aubuchon.

Finally, Aubuchon reiterated the importance of the Crowder community’s support.

“This is a fantastic yearly event that is supported by students, staff and the Crowder Board–  we couldn’t help so many students without the amazing generosity of everyone involved!” he concluded.