Making it a happier Christmas

By Wendy Maloff

If the stash of money, food and toys at the University of Calgary is any indication, students have plenty of giving spirit.

The Students’ Union Annual Holiday Food Drive took place from Nov. 21-23. Over three days, MacEwan Student Centre bustled with fundraisers such as the Tree of Hope, Food Pyramid Contest and Silent Auction.

"The big items at the silent action were breakfast with [SU President] Barb Wright, a stereo, scanner, events tickets and a Lord of the Rings hoodie," explained SU Vice-President of Operations and Finance Natasha Dhillon. "The food drive was a success."

The goal for the 2001 food drive was to raise $10,000 in donations. The final tallies were not complete at press time, but the count was $8,287.81, not including the silent auction proceeds and the value of the toys. If donations exceeded the $10,000 goal, surplus will go to the Calgary Interfaith Food Bank Society.

"We’ve probably exceeded our goal," Dhillon predicted. "We have $3,384 worth of toys that will be used as Christmas presents for kids."

This year, volunteers collected more toys than usual due to the Clubs Challenge in which clubs competed for points by generating the most donations. The Commerce Undergraduate Society defeated the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, the defending champions.

Dhillon speculated that the need for the food bank would continue to grow.

"Tuition is going up and wages aren’t," she said. "As tuition goes up, so will students’ need to access resources available on campus."

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