Along with holly, evergreen trees, and stockings by the fire, the holiday season brings with it a spirit of good will and generosity. It is in this spirit that the Sophomore Class and the Center for Community Service and Justice have been co-sponsoring the “Presence for Christmas” program for nearly 20 years. The Loyola University community supports approximately 1,000 individuals each holiday season.
All sponsored individuals and children are associated with the many community partners and programs with which Loyola volunteers work during the year. Loyola community members may register to participate as sponsors starting in mid-October. You may sign up in person at a registration table on campus, in the CCSJ office, or online. Campus sponsors bring gifts to the Festival of Lessons and Carols (Friday, Dec. 9, 2011), a service -- and longstanding Loyola tradition -- of choral Christmas music and sacred readings in the Alumni Memorial Chapel.
Want to learn more? Listen to the WLOY "Spotlight on Service."
Select from the following to learn more or participate:
Registration Tables in Boulder: Tuesday, October 11, 2011 - Friday, October 14, 2011
Registration Tables on the Quad: Monday, October 17, 2011- Friday, October 21, 2011
Registration Tables after Mass in Alumni Memorial Chapel: October 16, 2011 (only 6 pm Mass) and October 23, 2011 (both 11 am and 6 pm Mass)
Last day to sign up to participate: Monday, November 7
Lessons and Carols: December 9, 2011 at 5:00 pm
Ways to Participate:
Sponsor a child Campus sponsors provide gifts for about 300-400 individual children around the Baltimore area. You may register online or visit one of the Presence for Christmas tables located on campus during the Fall semester. Deadline to register is November 7, 2011. Read more about gift suggestions provided by some community agencies.
Sponsor an adult Campus sponsors agree to purchase three gifts and a meal for an individual affiliated with the Home Connections program through St. Vincent dePaul Society of Baltimore. This is a great opportunity for departments, clubs, teams, residence hall floors, and other groups to join together in the spirit of Christmas. You may register online; deadline to register is November 7, 2011.
Sponsor a classroom Campus sponsors provide gifts and school supplies for each child in a HeadStart classroom through St. Vincent dePaul Society of Baltimore. This is another opportunity for groups of campus donors -- teams, roommate groups, departments, etc. You may register online; deadline to register is November 7, 2011.
Sponsor a superstore Superstore sponsors provide unwrapped toys and children's clothing in bulk. Community partner agencies allow clients and families to “purchase” the gifts with vouchers they have earned through volunteering their time at that agency throughout the year. Superstore sponsorship is a great opportunity for larger groups. Sponsorship groups are typically asked to purchase 50-60 unwrapped gifts for the program. Deadline to register is November 7, 2011.
If you have questions, contact Nicole Schneider, Presence for Christmas Service Coordinator, at pfc@loyola.edu or x2380. Fall 2011 office hours: Monday- 1:00 pm-3:00 pm; Tuesday- 11:00 am- 1:30 pm; Friday- 9:00 am- 12:00 pm
