Saint Vincent education students wrap up holiday with presents for local kids

Education department faculty, staff and students at Saint Vincent College purchased and wrapped holiday presents for 62 local children in December.

The effort marked the return of the annual SVC Wraps for Kids program at the college in Unity after a two-year hiatus during the covid-19 pandemic.

This year, the department partnered with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, which provided names and wish lists of children who could benefit from the gifts.

Education students hold fundraisers and collect donations throughout the year for the program. Support has come from departments, groups, alumni, family and friends of the college, and from community members beyond the campus.

In December, education department volunteers gathered for a morning trip to a local Walmart to shop for presents. Then, they pitched in for an afternoon wrapping party in the Environmental Learning Barn at the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, next to the campus.

In addition to a gift, each child received a stuffed stocking, popcorn and an ornament.

Department faculty member Kathy Beining spearheads the program.

“At the end of the semester, it is a unifying service to the community that is good for everyone,” Beining said. “It is important for teachers, even teachers in training, to understand that all children don’t always have everything they need and surely not everything they want. It is important to realize as a teacher that you need to help care for day-to-day needs as well as their educational needs.”

Fundraising is underway for the 2023 Wraps for Kids effort. To help, contact Beining at kathleen.beining@stvincent.edu or 724-805-2981.