Greek Organizations become Santa Claus at Heart

Santa Claus comes in the form of Greek organizations for the fourth annual ‘Toys from the Heart’ holiday toy drive. A program dedicated to children in the Tangipahoa parish who are in unfortunate circumstances and not able to celebrate Christmas the same way as others.

Members of three African-American Greek organizations ask for toy and money donations in the Student Union Mall at Southeastern Louisiana University for the 'Toys from the Heart' toy drive.

Southeastern’s Greek organizations Kappa Alpha Psi Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and Zeta Phi Beta Inc., along with the Recreational Sports and Wellness department and the Office of Multicultural and Student Affairs (MISA), are working together to collect new, unwrapped toys for 350 children this season and are also accepting cash and check donations.

Brendan Daigle, administrative assistant of MISA, stated the Greek organizations have been getting the word out about ‘Toys from the Heart’ by having a table in Southeastern Louisiana University’s Student Union Mall. The organizations have also been collecting toys and monetary donations this way as well.

“We started it to set forth one of our founding objectives, inspiring service in the public
interest,” said Winfred Hills Jr., Vice President of Kappa Alpha Psi Inc. about the meaning behind ‘Toys from the Heart.’

'Toys from the Heart' toy drive table.

Hills stated some members of Kappa Alpha Psi Inc. come from similar backgrounds as the families participating in the toy drive and can relate.

Kristin Smith, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., also stated that her sorority focuses on helping in the community and giving back.

“This program enables us to give back and touch the lives of many less fortunate children so that they too may indulge in the happiness of the Christmas holidays,” Smith said.

Greek organization member receives money donations from students at Southeastern.

According to Daigle, as of Dec. 1, 162 children have been registered by their parent or guardian to receive one of the generous gifts given by a member of the community.

Daigle stated the youngest registered child so far is a one month old with the age limit being up to 12 years old.

Daigle recalled the toy drive’s first batch of toys being from a math and Zumba class instructor, who used “dancing for dolls” as a promotional name for her class to offer “doll” donations. The instructor’s students brought in a total of about 40 dolls for young girls participating in the toy drive.

Boxes of toys sit in the MISA office for children participating in the toy drive.

If you would like to donate to these children as well, donation boxes will be collected at about 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 9. These boxes are located at the MISA office or donation can be received at the organization’s table in the Student Union Mall. Check donations can be made out to the Nu Omega Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.

Families interested in registering for ‘Toys from the Heart’ toy drive is asked to call the MISA office at 985-549-3850. However, request are filled on a first come, first served basis.

During the phone call, the family member will be asked to provide the name, age and gender of the child participating in order to provide a proper gift. The parent or guardian is also asked for their name and contact number.

Toys collected will be given to registered families Dec. 10 from 1-5 p.m. at the Pennington Student Activity Center, located on Southeastern’s campus at 1350 N. General Pershing.

More information about the toy drive can be found in the news release, ‘Toys from the Heart’ brings joy to area children.

Lay down a brick legacy

Year after year, relatives search for the perfect gift for a graduating student. They want a gift that will show love but at the same time leave a lifetime impression. Project Friendship offers anyone to literally leave a lifetime impression on campus through a brick.

A brick may seem like a pointless and boring gift, but on Southeastern Louisiana University’s campus, it will pave fresh pathways that cross Friendship Circle. Friendship Circle marks the center of Southeastern’s main campus and consists of a huge Oak tree. Friendship Oak is where many students gather to catch shade from the bright sun and a nap from long study nights.

Bricks in front of Fayard hall on Southeastern Louisiana University campus. Bricks similar will be layed on the walking path in Friendship Circle.

Project Friendship was started by former President Randy Moffett and his executive director of public and governmental affairs, Erin Moore Cowser, said Adrianne Roques, development coordinator of the Southeastern Development Foundation.

“Project Friendship was created to be a fund raiser that would provide an opportunity for alumni and friends of Southeastern to leave a lasting imprint in the historical heart of Southeastern’s campus,” Roques said.

Project Friendship bricks can be personalized with up to three lines of engraving and up to 16 characters per line, including spacing and punctuation marks for $100 per brick.

Some purchasers may choose to dedicate the brick to a deceased love one or use it to mark their time at Southeastern by including their name and graduation year.

Dave Busekist, a mathematics instructor at Southeastern, said he would purchase a brick. He stated he has been at Southeastern for 22 years and is enjoying his time there.

He also stated that there are some faculty members, who if were deceased, he would purchase a brick for in their memory.

Jasmine Amedee, a junior at Southeastern, feels the bricks are a good idea. However, at this time she is not interested in purchasing one. “Maybe during graduation time, it’ll be my mark on Southeastern,” Amedee said.

She also mentioned that if she, as a buyer, could write her signature in the brick or leave another type of personal mark, she would be more interested.

According to the Southeastern Website, “Proceeds from the purchase of bricks will be part of the Development Foundation’s Annual Fund, a key source of support for Southeastern’s academic programs.”

Entrance to Friendship Circle at Southeastern Louisiana University.

Roques says, “The Southeastern Annual Fund supports all academic programs at Southeastern. In particular, the Annual Fund:

– Strengthens the curriculum and outreach programs

– Provides access to the latest classroom technology

– Supports creative teaching methods

– Provides scholarships for deserving students

– Attracts and retains excellent faculty

– Maintains and enhances our campus

and

– Provides unrestricted dollars to address the most critical needs of the University.”

In addition to supporting the academic programs, a portion of the $100 contribution is tax deductible.

Brick installations are scheduled to occur twice a year. However, they will not begin to be placed in the sidewalk areas of Friendship Circle until the minimum order of at least 100 bricks is met.

A student studies at Friendship Circle on Southeastern's campus..

Project Friendship brick purchases can be made at https://www.selu.edu/alumni_donors/dev_foundation/project_friendship/purchase/index.html or mailed by printing and sending the form on the above website to Southeastern Development Foundation, SLU 10293, Hammond, Louisiana, 70402.

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