Ernestine Hutchinson, University of Maine at Farmington director of Auxiliary Business and Hospitality Services (front row, center) joins with Ben Parry, retail assistant (front row, left) and her student workers as they get in the spirit to brighten the holiday season for children and families in the greater Farmington area. Photo courtesy of UMF
University of Maine at Farmington students, faculty and staff look to brighten the holiday season for children and families in the greater Farmington area. Multiple charitable giving opportunities are being sponsored by the university and area non-profit organizations to help members of the community have a warmer and happier holiday.
In its 18th year, the University Store is sponsoring its Giving Tree holiday tradition in partnership with the Farmington Elks Lodge and Operation Santa Claus. Members of the campus and local community can stop by the 238 Main St. store and take a tag from the holiday tree to fulfill a special request or drop off a new, unwrapped gift of items like clothes, shoes, winter wear, toys or books, from infant to adult sizes.
Items can be dropped off at the campus store by Friday, Dec. 15, when they will be picked up and wrapped by Operation Santa Claus volunteers to tuck under someone’s Christmas tree.
“UMF student workers and staff from both the University Store and the Conferences and Events office work hand-in-hand every year to make sure our Giving Tree tradition continues to help community members have a happy holiday. It’s so rewarding for us all to get together in this effort and be inspired to think of others. What better way to celebrate the holiday season,” said Ernestine Hutchinson, UMF director of Auxiliary Business and Hospitality Services, according to a news release from April Mulherin, UMF associate director for media relations.
The annual Pajama Drive, sponsored by the Farmington Rotary Club and the Franklin Country Children’s Task Force, also is in full swing. It is collecting new, unwrapped pajamas, sized newborn to 18. Pajamas can be dropped off until Wednesday, Dec. 13 at the office of Kirsten Swan, director of student leadership and services, in the UMF Fusion Center, or at the UMF Admissions Office at 246 Main St. The Task Force then distributes the pajamas to families in Franklin County.
The UMF Student Athlete Advisory Committee has been collecting food and toys at athletic events to distribute to the community. Non-perishable food items and toys collected will be distributed to the community through the University Store’s partnership with Operation Santa Claus.
For more information email Ernestine Hutchinson, UMF director of Auxiliary Business and Hospitality Services, at eleight@maine.edu.
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