Tis the season to give back
Senior Jasmine Williams bonds with a student at the Big Brothers Big Sisters Field Day event. Photo by: highpoint.edu
By Mayeesa Mitchell, Staff Writer//
Decorations have gone up all over campus and sign-ups for carriage rides have begun. This can only mean one thing: it’s the holiday season at High Point University!
As we reflect on how fortunate we are to attend such an amazing university, many of our students recognize that there are some within our surrounding community who aren’t as fortunate as we are.
Some of these students make up HPU’s most dedicated service organizations. In honor of all the work that they are doing this holiday season, here are four of HPU’s many service organizations that give back to the High Point community all year long:
1) Impact Club
Founded in December 2013, the Impact Club is a Christian community service organization dedicated to making an impact in High Point’s local community and throughout the world. The organization has about 60 active members who work with local organizations like the Rotary Club, Backpack Beginnings and Youth Network on a regular basis. During the holiday season, they dedicate themselves to Operation Christmas Child to ensure that more children are able to have a truly happy holiday season.
2) Habitat for Humanity
After an 11-year hiatus, HPU’s chapter of Habitat for Humanity was revived in 2010. Since then, the members have helped build over 90 homes in the surrounding community. They also assist at the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore, a donation center where local businesses and residents can drop off furniture to help furnish and decorate homes that are being built. Recently, the chapter, with the help of SGA, funded a Triple Dedication Event. At this event, three families were given the keys to their new homes and a short reception was held. This holiday season, the members of the club have created Christmas cards for each of the families they have helped build a home for this semester.
3) Big Brothers Big Sisters
Each year, over 50 of High Point University’s students commit themselves to spending at least an hour a week with their little brother or sister. HPU’s Big Brother Big Sister chapter works with the Piedmont Triad BBBS to match students with children in kindergarten through high school from 11 different local schools. Throughout the year, many of the Littles are given the opportunity to come to campus for events like Field Day, the annual Easter Egg Hunt and Truck or Treat. This holiday season was made special with a holiday party hosted by HPU’s chapter of BBBS where Littles could spend time with their Bigs while enjoying Christmas music and cookies.
4) Civitan Club
Chartered in 2005, HPU’s local chapter of Civitan International has dedicated itself to assisting with homelessness in the High Point community with a global focus on ending world hunger. To advance those goals, the club has hosted Homelessness Awareness Campouts, packed thousands of meals for Stop Hunger Now, participated in the CROP Hunger Walk and raised funds for Open Door Ministries and Church World Service. During the holiday season, they are continuing to raise funds for poverty alleviation efforts.
Although the holiday season is a great time to get back, these student organizations have gone above and beyond to help the local community all year round.
If you’re interested in giving back, visit these and other service organizations at the Activities Fair on Jan. 11, 2016 in the Slane Gym or find their contact info at: highpoint.edu/sga/chartered-organization.