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Faculty > Annual Holiday Helper Tree kicks off Wednesday, Nov. 2
Annual Holiday Helper Tree kicks off Wednesday, Nov. 2
October 27, 2017
The holiday season is just around the corner, and the Office of Leadership and Community Engagement (OLCE) is kicking off the season with the 24th annual Holiday Helper Tree lighting on Wednesday, Nov. 1, at 10 a.m. in the Russell Union.
During the kickoff event, Eileen Smith, founder of this Georgia Southern tradition, will speak, and children from Statesboro Head Start will sing holiday carols. Staff members from the OLCE will officially light the tree for the season and open it for anyone to pull a tag at 11 a.m., immediately following the performance.
The Holiday Helper Tree is adorned with hundreds of tags, each bearing the gift wish of a local person in need of some extra holiday spirit. This year’s tags represent 17 local organizations and more than 800 individuals in the community who might otherwise go without any gifts this holiday season.
"The Holiday Helper Tree is unique because it gives Georgia Southern students, staff members and faculty members the opportunity to serve the Statesboro community together,” said Jordan Wilburn, OLCE community engagement coordinator. “While students, faculty and staff may engage in service separately throughout the year, this is one event that brings us all together and allows us to serve hundreds of people in our local community at the same time! It is a beautiful process to be a part of!"
Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to visit the Tree from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every weekday through Nov. 17 to pick a tag to sponsor. Wrapped gifts (and the tag to whom they belong) are due back to OLCE by Nov. 27 at 5 p.m.
Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers 118 degree programs serving 20,673 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.
