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The Daily OrangeOrange Angels holiday program helps Syracuse children in need
By Erica Rosenthal
Posted: 11/27/07, 1:01 AM EST Section: Feature
The old holiday cliche is that Christmas is about giving and not receiving, and Syracuse University students are doing their part to help out area children in need this holiday season.
And that's where the Residence Hall Association (RHA) at SU steps in. They created a program called Orange Angels, which is in its second year.
On Nov. 12, RHA began handing out names of children from the Boys and Girls Club ranging in age from 6 to 19. SU students who take a name or two are then obligated to sponsor the child and buy them a $12-$15 wrapped gift, due by Dec. 6.
RHA is a student organization that has two ideals: to transform halls into homes and to foster student leadership, said Michael Grzelak, a junior history and policy studies major. Grzelak is currently the president of RHA and began the program last year as Director of Education on the RHA executive board.
On the card lists the name, gender and age of the child, along with the location of his or her particular Boys and Girls Club. Some children have a wish list, but many will receive age-appropriate gifts. Last year, RHA and outside students and organizations sponsored 383 children, and this year, they increased it to more than 500.
RHA publicized the program to the residence halls, community councils, Greek life and presidents of student organizations. They also made an event on Facebook and are still tabling at the Schine Student Center. Their biggest form of publicity, however, is by word of mouth.
The program started by chance at the end of the semester when a committee member suggested the idea.
"Last year, it was an idea in the education committee to cap off the end of the semester," Grzelak said. "We wanted a small program to end on a good note. We emailed the Boys and Girls Club of Syracuse, and they financially couldn't afford something like this, and they needed outside help."
The Boys and Girls Club was grateful for the program, and RHA hopes it will help bridge the gap between SU and the city of Syracuse, Grzelak said.
And that's where the Residence Hall Association (RHA) at SU steps in. They created a program called Orange Angels, which is in its second year.
On Nov. 12, RHA began handing out names of children from the Boys and Girls Club ranging in age from 6 to 19. SU students who take a name or two are then obligated to sponsor the child and buy them a $12-$15 wrapped gift, due by Dec. 6.
RHA is a student organization that has two ideals: to transform halls into homes and to foster student leadership, said Michael Grzelak, a junior history and policy studies major. Grzelak is currently the president of RHA and began the program last year as Director of Education on the RHA executive board.
On the card lists the name, gender and age of the child, along with the location of his or her particular Boys and Girls Club. Some children have a wish list, but many will receive age-appropriate gifts. Last year, RHA and outside students and organizations sponsored 383 children, and this year, they increased it to more than 500.
RHA publicized the program to the residence halls, community councils, Greek life and presidents of student organizations. They also made an event on Facebook and are still tabling at the Schine Student Center. Their biggest form of publicity, however, is by word of mouth.
The program started by chance at the end of the semester when a committee member suggested the idea.
"Last year, it was an idea in the education committee to cap off the end of the semester," Grzelak said. "We wanted a small program to end on a good note. We emailed the Boys and Girls Club of Syracuse, and they financially couldn't afford something like this, and they needed outside help."
The Boys and Girls Club was grateful for the program, and RHA hopes it will help bridge the gap between SU and the city of Syracuse, Grzelak said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Marcy
posted 11/27/07 @ 10:17 PM EST
Excellent article!!! Extremely worthwhile and impressive RHA activity!!!
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