The gift that keeps on giving
Operation Christmas Child at CSUSM
Jordan Verdin
Issue date: 11/17/09 Section: Faces & Places
"This is a rewarding experience and it makes me more appreciative," said Priority Christian Challenge President Huy Tu. "It's worth it to see the smiles on their faces."
It has not always been simple to find everything needed to complete the shoeboxes for the children. According to Bran, one of the hardest elements of the gifts to find is the empty shoeboxes needed to pack the gifts in. However, several local shoe stores were able to donate empty boxes for the cause, and there were more than enough to give the gifts to the children.
It is also difficult to get the word out that this program is available for CSUSM students looking for a way to donate their time to a worthy cause. This year, there was also a concern that not too many students would not be able to afford to donate gifts to fill the shoebox. Still, Bran was happy to share that even though everyone is feeling the economic crunch, both teachers and students came together to give for the less fortunate.
"We had a great turnout," said Bran. While students might not see the full impact of their gift has on the children, the effects are immeasurable.
A great example of someone being impacted is Huda, a female dietitian student from Cal State San Bernardino, a Jordanian international student. When she was a child in Jordan, Huda and her family received shoeboxes. Upon coming to the United States, Huda started the Christian Club at CSUSB and initiated Operation Christmas Child last year.
Now CSUSM and CSUSB are competing to see which campus' program will bring in more boxes for the program. While it's too late to get involved this year with Operation Christmas Child, students who would like to get involved for next year, or be a part of nonprofit activities, can help by getting in contact with Ruth Bran at r22Bran@yahoo.com, or call her at (760) 583-2381. For more information, they can visit the website at www.prioritycsusm.edu.
It has not always been simple to find everything needed to complete the shoeboxes for the children. According to Bran, one of the hardest elements of the gifts to find is the empty shoeboxes needed to pack the gifts in. However, several local shoe stores were able to donate empty boxes for the cause, and there were more than enough to give the gifts to the children.
It is also difficult to get the word out that this program is available for CSUSM students looking for a way to donate their time to a worthy cause. This year, there was also a concern that not too many students would not be able to afford to donate gifts to fill the shoebox. Still, Bran was happy to share that even though everyone is feeling the economic crunch, both teachers and students came together to give for the less fortunate.
"We had a great turnout," said Bran. While students might not see the full impact of their gift has on the children, the effects are immeasurable.
A great example of someone being impacted is Huda, a female dietitian student from Cal State San Bernardino, a Jordanian international student. When she was a child in Jordan, Huda and her family received shoeboxes. Upon coming to the United States, Huda started the Christian Club at CSUSB and initiated Operation Christmas Child last year.
Now CSUSM and CSUSB are competing to see which campus' program will bring in more boxes for the program. While it's too late to get involved this year with Operation Christmas Child, students who would like to get involved for next year, or be a part of nonprofit activities, can help by getting in contact with Ruth Bran at r22Bran@yahoo.com, or call her at (760) 583-2381. For more information, they can visit the website at www.prioritycsusm.edu.
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