By Sasha Williams
Finals week and freezing weather have both arrived full force, and every store in the country looks like a toy box threw up all over it. Ahh, the holiday season is upon us once again. Most U of L students are looking forward to plenty of rest and relaxation over the winter break, but many are also planning to drop the remote one day this month, get up, get out and volunteer. Plenty of worthy causes desperately need volunteers, so check out this list of organizations and see what you can give this holiday season.Be an Angel: until Dec. 9The Angel Tree program ensures that every local child has something to open on Christmas morning. Families who are experiencing financial crisis apply to participate in this gift-giving program through the Salvation Army. Those who qualify have their child’s name put on an angel, and that angel is hung on a tree in a local business. Each adopted angel will receive a shirt, pants, shoes, coat and one “wish” – an age-appropriate toy. Children range from infants to 16 years old. The University of Louisville has its own Angel Tree at the Service Learning Center with 23 angels hanging on it who still need to be adopted. Students without much cash are encouraged to adopt an angel with their friends to cut the cost. U of L’s Angel Tree is in the Student Activities Center, room W318. Those interested in adopting an angel from U of L should contact the Service Learning Center at 852-3436. All angels must be returned with their gifts by noon on Dec. 9.Throw a partyHelp spread a little yuletide cheer at this year’s Children’s Holiday Extravaganza on Dec. 20, sponsored by the Department of Family and Geriatric Medicine. This party has a special purpose – to help “medically fragile” families take their minds off their troubles for at least one evening. The guests will be families with children whose lives have been altered by either their own or a parent’s illness. The kids will visit with Santa Claus, open presents and have their faces painted. On Dec. 19 beginning at 4 p.m., U of L students are invited to the Multipurpose Room in the SAC for volunteer event night, where gift-wrapping and volunteer training will take place. Cash, toy and clothing donations will also be accepted until Dec. 9. Those interested in volunteering can contact Deborah Jones at (502) 561-8831.Rebuild Pakistani homesPeople in Pakistan are trying to rebuild their lives after a recent earthquake devastated countless homes. The Association of Pakistani Physicians of Kentucky and Indiana is an organization dedicated to helping Pakistanis get back on their feet. The group is collecting monetary donations and has collected roughly $50,000 so far, in addition to a recent plegde of $35,000 from the U of L medical staff. These sound like impressive figures, but they barely meet the immediate needs of the Pakistani people. The group’s goal is to collect $80,000 over two to four years. “So far we are not that successful,” said Dr. Khurram Nazeer, APPKI member and U of L professor of medicine. The organization needs to meet its goals to construct housing for those in need. According to Nazeer, a house can be built in Pakistan for roughly $1,000. Anyone wishing to contribute can contact Nazeer at (502) 797-4146.Hurricane Katrina Angel TreeThis online Angel Tree works in much the same way as the local Angel Tree. Families who were affected by Hurricane Katrina’s devastation of the southern U.S. coast can apply online, and those who are approved become angels. A word of caution: this tree seems to be mostly for whole families, so unless students wishing to adopt an angel have enough money to give they may consider getting their fraternity, sorority or some other organization involved. Anyone interested can call Katrina at (804) 513-4756 or e-mail her at katrina@katrina.com. Yes, the lady running the site is named Katrina.Red Cross Blood DriveToo squeamish to give blood? That’s okay; volunteer your time instead. This year’s Donorama will be the largest blood drive in Kentucky. The event will be held from 12-7 p.m. at the Executive Inn on Dec. 28 and 29. Volunteers can work as blood aids, greeters, coat checkers and kitchen staff. The Red Cross will also need volunteers to help set up from 2-3 p.m. the day before the drive. For info contact Jennifer Meredith at (502) 561-3695.Jingle the bells“You haven’t done volunteer work until you’ve stood out in the cold ringing bells for a couple of hours,” said Jim Garrett, director of Volunteer Services at the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army needs bell-ringers to brave the elements for the month of December. Shifts last for at least two hours and require two people. For more info, visit http://www.ringbells.org. You may also contact Jim Garrett at (502) 643-3736 to learn other ways you can volunteer.Okay, so now you have no excuse. Everyone has something to give, whether it’s money, gifts or time. So switch off the tube and prepare for a day of volunteering. Who knows, if you really go the extra mile, Santa may leave a little something extra in your stocking.
