December 13, 2007

Rollins Provides Presents for Local Elementary Students

The management team from Sodexho Campus Services, Rollins' dining service provider, dressed in holiday gear for a visit to Grand Avenue Primary Learning Center in Orlando on December 19. Thanks to a donation of $825 raised by Rollins College faculty, staff and students through an Angel Tree on campus, the team was able to hand out Christmas presents to the school's students.

Located in the heart of downtown Orlando, the Grand Avenue Primary Learning Center was established in 1926. The school serves the Holden Heights community, which is comprised of low-to-moderate cost homes, subsidized apartments and a housing project.

The Angel Tree project for the Grand Avenue Primary Learning Center was so successful that Sodexho Campus Services will participate in the program again in 2008.

Students, Faculty and Staff Play Santa for Local Foster Kids

More than 40 children from two local foster care facilities visited Rollins Wednesday, December 12 for the 7th Annual Holiday FunFest. During the event, children from the Charlee House and Children’s Home Society partnered with a buddy from Rollins for an afternoon of games, activities, dinner and a visit with Santa. Members of the College community hosted activity booths for the kids that included everything from crafts to cookie decorating to face painting. Holiday FunFest introduces under-served children to the Rollins campus while providing opportunities for children to engage with college students and staff in purposeful and meaningful ways.

“FunFest was a very warm event and really gave me perspective on how we can help those less fortunate than us,” said Crummer School student volunteer Bill Rockwood. “By attending events like this one, it reminds us that we are all in a position to make an impact on others.”

Children received toys, clothing and educational materials that were on their holiday wish list. The gifts were purchased specifically for them by their new Rollins friends. They also saw a “Magic of Science” show presented by Rollins’ own President Lewis Duncan. Holiday FunFest is a cultural celebration that honors all holiday traditions and has been a winter time tradition at Rollins since 2000.

Rollins partners with the Charlee House and the Children's Home Society throughout the year on academic service-learning courses, a mentoring program and additional student organization and athletic events.

Rollins College Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Roger Casey played Santa Claus for the children, who had the opportunity to have their pictures taken with him.

Campus Security and Fraternity Team Up to Host Luncheon for Center for Drug-Free Living

On Wednesday, December 12, the Rollins Department of Campus Security and fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon teamed up to host mothers and children from the Center for Drug-Free Living on campus for a special holiday luncheon. “This is something we all really wanted to do,” said Tau Kappa Epsilon President Jeff Pansiera.

More than 20 mothers with their children attended the event. Campus Security and Tau Kappa Epsilon provided 35 children with Christmas gifts. The moms also left with something special. Rollins employees came together to make goodie bags for the mothers, including a dozen homemade cookies for each mom to take home.

“Instead of exchanging gifts with each other, members of the campus security department decided to buy gifts for kids at the Center for Drug-Free Living,” said Director of Campus Security Ken Miller. “We thought this would be a great opportunity to combine resources with a campus student organization on a special community service effort.”

This is the first year the campus security department and a fraternity have come together for a community service project. It’s something they hope to do again in the future.

Pictured (left to right) Office of the Provost Research Associate Kati Stephenson, Office of the President Operations Coordinator Carol Dacre, Administrative Assistant Connie Chambers and Office of the Treasurer Executive Assistant Cindy Hawks helped create gifts for the event.

 

Rollins Students Help Inmates Coordinate Canned Food Drive

Rollins students Jesse Marano and Elizabeth Shuman recently taught a class to inmates at the Orange County Juvenile Corrections Facility. The eight-week course was on “Hunger, Homelessness and Poverty on a Global, National and Local Scale.” The inmates were so impacted by the course, they decided to give back to the community by holding a canned food drive.

Several boxes were placed on the Rollins campus with reflections from the inmates about what the class meant to them and what they want for their future.

As a result of the six-day food drive, more than four boxes of food was collected and donated to Shepard’s Promise, a non-profit organization and shelter that helps women and children.

“The inmates were very passionate about seeing this event through and although they have made bad decisions in the past, they are now trying to make some good ones,” said Morano.

Rollins students and class teachers Jesse Marano and Elizabeth Shuman holding a box of donated food.