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SVC Wraps for Kids delivers magic of Christmas to local children

SVC Wraps for Kids delivers magic of Christmas to local children

by Public Relations | November 27, 2024

LATROBE, PA – There will be something special under the tree on Christmas morning for dozens of local children, thanks to SVC Wraps for Kids.

For more than a decade, SVC Wraps has provided presents, joy and hope to more than 1,900 kids. The program is a joint effort by the Saint Vincent College Education Department and Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Laurel Region.

Education students hold fundraisers and collect donations throughout the year to support the program. It culminates each year on the first Saturday in December when the students go shopping to fulfill the children’s wish lists and hold a gift-wrapping party in the Environmental Learning Barn at Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve.

In addition to gifts of toys and clothing, each child receives a stuffed stocking, a tin of popcorn, an ornament and a tote of toiletries for the family,

More than 100 education students and faculty will take part in this year’s shopping and wrapping event on Dec. 7. Each shopper will have $150 to spend per child.

“This service project is as important for the preservice teachers as it is for the children,” said Dr. Kathleen Beining, assistant professor of education in the School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, who spearheads the project. “I always remind our students that everyone needs a little support at some point in their life. There is no better way to support families than to help them keep the magic of Christmas alive.”

The program’s supporters on campus include the Student Government Association, Campus Ministries, Bearcats B.E.S.T., the Fred Rogers Institute, Career Services and the College’s sports teams.

SVC Wraps is accepting donations of money and full-size toiletries. Checks made out to ECECLUB can be dropped off at 21 Carey Hall on campus or mailed to the attention of Beining, SVC Wraps for Kids, Saint Vincent College, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650. For more information or to become a sponsor, email kathleen.beining@stvincent.edu.

 

Saint Vincent College students shopping for SVC Wraps in the toy section of Walmart

Saint Vincent College students (from left) Kennedy Sheriff, Nicholas Matro and Charlotte Jordan go shopping for SVC Wraps.

Saint Vincent College education professor Dr. William Rullo at a gift table during the SVC wraps event

Saint Vincent College education professor Dr. William Rullo at a SVC Wraps for Kids gift-wrapping event.

 

 

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