Eberly College of Science Charitable Efforts
Benefit Numerous Families During the Holidays

20 December 2002 -- Several departments within the Eberly College of Science at Penn State have adopted a 'tis-better-to-give-than-to-receive attitude this holiday season with their numerous charitable-donation efforts and collection drives during the past several weeks. Those efforts include:

• A benefit for two families conducted by staff members and laboratory personnel in the Department of Mathematics. Contributions from department members will be used to purchase gifts for two families who have been burdened with medical and financial difficulties. Faculty and staff in the department plan to purchase toys for one family's children and a desperately needed vacuum cleaner for the other family.
  
  
• A benefit for a local family in need by the Department of Chemistry. Faculty and staff in the department have undertaken a holiday project for more than seven years, with this year's choice an effort to collect items to make a needy family's holidays a little brighter. Also, faculty, staff, and students have waged their annual "penny drive competition" in which money is collected for the Million Pennies Drive for Easter Seals.
  
  "We certainly are fortunate to have such caring people among us," said Theresa Peters, administrative assistant in the Department of Chemistry. "Each year we are very appreciative of the amount of support these projects receive in the department."
  
  
• A benefit for a single mother of six children by the Department of Biology. The department has used an "angel tree" to provide a complete holiday experience for those less fortunate for the past nine years. This year it has chosen a single mother of six who has recently escaped a 16-year abusive relationship and is trying to create a safe environment for herself and for her children. Faculty, staff, postdocs, and graduate students in the department have been extremely generous in donating holiday gifts (including a bike, CD player, clothing, toys, a turkey dinner, and gift certificates for gas and groceries as well as a gift certificate for each child).
  
  "We've always had a huge outpouring of support for these projects and it's been extremely rewarding to the department," said Bronnie McLaughlin, administrative assistant in the Department of Biology, reflecting a College-wide sentiment.
  
  
• A "Jared Box" collection for chronically ill children by the Dean's Office staff. "Jared Boxes" are small, easily carried boxes full of crayons, markers, coloring books, card games, puzzles, and related items which help children pass the time waiting in doctor-office waiting rooms. Staff in the Dean's Office donated enough items to equip 46 boxes. Also, the staff has collected money for the Million Pennies Drive for Easter Seals.

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This page was last updated on 20 December 2002

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