By J.C. Quaglia
Denisonian Staff Writer

Painting, babysitting, and caroling are just a few of the ways various campus organizations are volunteering this holiday season.

The Kappa Sigma fraternity's service project is one that helped to better the conditions of the YES house for underprivileged youths in Newark on Saturday (Dec. 7).

The YES house is a shelter for underprivileged children ages to eat, be tutored, and receive guidance to help facilitate positive activities in their lives.

Kappa Sigma spent the day patching and painting the walls of the house.

Members of Kappa Sigma fraternity helping fix up the YES house in Newark this holiday season include, from left, Kevin Hospodar '05, Jamie Vaughan '05, Chad Boisselle '03 and Ben Minor '03.

"When we got here this place was dark and gloomy, but when we left, the new paint made the place look bigger and brighter," said sophomore Kappa Sigma member Kevin Hospodar '05.

"This made me realize that by putting in a little effort, a team of more than twenty guys can make a big difference in a place designed to help out less privileged people."

"The YES house is so very appreciative of the time, effort, and caring of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity," said Janice Mclean, a former Denison faculty member and current Vice President of the Licking County Mental Health Association.

"This is a wonderful example of the Denison Community reaching out and helping an adopted community."

Another example of Denison's clubs reaching out is the Delta Gamma sorority.

They have been helping their Service for Sight philanthropy by helping people in the area who are vision impaired with their holiday shopping and everyday activities.

"I have learned to appreciate the things that I take for granted," said sophomore Delta Gamma member Lauren Hunter '05. "I never realized how lucky I really am."

Members of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority hosted a holiday party for children from the New Beginnings shelter on Wednesday, Dec. 11.

"It's always a fun time," said junior Alpha Chi Omega member Emily Trunkely. "The kids really seem to enjoy themselves."

The Pi Beta Phi sorority has been gathering funds by offering to sing Christmas carols to students' friends for a fee.

"We have raised about $175," said senior Pi Beta Phi member Mackenzie Korhn. "The money raised will go towards our national philanthropy which focuses on literacy."

Korhn continued by saying the idea for the fundraiser was that of Lyn Robertson, associate professor of education.

The focus of this is promoting early childhood literacy," Korhn said. "The money will buy T-shirts for infants that say 'Talk to me. Read to me' and pamphlets that educate new parents on the importance of talking and reading to their infants."

"This is a main component in developing adult literacy skills later on in life."

The pamphlets and shirts will be distributed at Licking County Memorial Hospital to new parents.

Some other organizations volunteering to celebrate the holiday include Mortar Board, a senior honorary dedicated to service, and the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.

Mortar Board is sponsoring its fourth annual Big Red Cares Holiday Project. Students and faculty are asked to pick up bags to be donated to needy children and elders in the area.

Mortar Board will then add a book to each bag to promote literacy.

Kappa Alpha Theta will be Christmas caroling at various nursing homes in the area to spread holiday cheer. The sorority members will also be offering baby-sitting services from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday (Dec. 14) for Granville residents so they can do their holiday shopping without their children.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

Position Title

Director, Media Relations

Primary Email

stambaughb@denison.edu

Business Phone

(740) 587-8575