Holiday Donations and Drives via Midwestern University Benefit Community

Midwestern University has several programs during the holiday season geared to helping those in need, as part of its commitment to community service. Students, faculty, and staff are involved in organizing and assisting fundraisers, drives, donations, and other methods of giving back to the community. Some examples include:

• Student Services is sponsoring an Angel Tree from the Salvation Army for gifts to be given to local children. A member of the Midwestern University community can fulfill the wish list on an angel tag, which includes descriptions of the gifts, such as clothing, winter gear, bicycles, and toys.
• The Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) is holding a fundraiser for the Bridge Teen Center, a nonprofit community center created to assist teens and families from about 128 communities in Chicago Southland and Northwest Indiana. SOTA asks for donations of $5, which will purchase wish list items, and they are collecting new or gently used clothing.
• The Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine Student Government Association (CCOM SGA) is hosting a clothing and hygiene drive for work and business clothing as well as any hygiene items.
• The College of Health Sciences/ College of Graduate Studies Executive Student Council (CHS CGS) is making blankets for Project Linus, an organization that distributes blankets to children in several locations including social service agencies, hospitals, and shelters.
• The Office of Safety & Security is collecting gifts for Toys for Tots in order for children in need to have a Christmas gift and give children hope.
• The EcoMinded and L.O.V.E. (Local Outreach Volunteerism Education) Club on the Glendale Campus hosted volunteer outreach for the homeless via Project Humanities and is collecting clothing.
• The Student National Dental Association (SNDA) held a donation drive for New Life Center, Arizona’s biggest domestic violence shelter.
• And, in support of Arizonans for Children (AFC), an organization that strives to take care of children impacted by neglect, abuse, and abandonment, the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) held a toy/donation drive.

The holiday season is a difficult time for those in need, especially for children who see their more fortunate peers receive gifts. Midwestern University strives to help these children have a brighter and happier holiday through community service and also supports teens and adults through service with various organizations. The sense of community and giving back is a central aspect of the Midwestern University experience and value system, and the University embraces this during the holidays and throughout the year.