December is a busy month at Holland College. But even with the hectic pace at the end of the semester, students, faculty, and staff are ready help others. Here are a few of the activities that have taken place over the last few weeks.
A few years ago, an Adult Education student started writing Christmas cards to seniors to help brighten the holidays with some funny Christmas stories and memories. The cards were read in a group setting so all the seniors could enjoy them, and perhaps recall their own memories. It received such a positive response that the demand has grown. This year, staff and students participated again, and the cards have been delivered to seniors’ homes.
CSK staff prepared a takeaway holiday meal for clients and staff at Canadian Mental Health PEI. This tradition started in 2016 but had to be suspended because of the pandemic.
Catching up after post-tropical storm Fiona meant that the usual plan to visit seniors’ homes to sing carols had to be shelved; but Resident Care Worker students intend to visit in the New Year. Staff on the West Prince Campus prepared a pancake and sausage lunch for students and stocked the student food bank.
The Student Union held a coat drive to ensure that students had cosy coats for the upcoming cold weather, coordinated a food drive to stock the student food bank, and had stocking give-aways in campuses and centres across the province.
The Regis and Joan Duffy Library hosted 10 days of Give Aways. Every day, library staff picked three students’ names. Each student received a little gift such as socks, mitts, or a hat, and a Christmas card.
The Junior Chefs Association volunteered at the Upper Room Soup Kitchen, preparing supper for approximately 120 individuals. The CIC’s annual staff/student Turkey Dinner was a fundraiser for the TCC food bank/student insecurity fund. People donated non-perishable items or gave a cash donation. The CIC also partnered with the Lions Club to do 325 pick-up turkey dinners for seniors.
In lieu of buying each other gifts, staff in the Human Resources department made a donation to the student food bank. The President’s Office donated to the Holland College Foundation Student Emergency Fund on behalf of all faculty and staff. Staff across campus participated in activities such bingo and elimination draws to raise money for Christmas families, and provided donations to the student food bank.
The college is winding down for the year now. Students have completed the semester, and many have returned to their homes in other parts of Canada or overseas. The college will be closed from December 21 until January 3, and a week later, students will return for their second semester.
For more information, please contact:
Sara Underwood, Media and Communications Officer
Tel: 902-566-9695
Date: December 21, 2022
