Grace College Program Helps Needy Families During Holiday Season
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
!Photo=N1129001.JPG
Photo by Laura L. Sloop, Times-Union
Grace College's annual Heart of the Holidays program is set for Dec. 10. Pictured are organizers of the event Josh Kuck and Andrea Johnson.
WINONA LAKE - Grace College has set up a program to donate gifts this Christmas to families in need. The annual program, Heart of the Holidays, is set for Dec. 10. The Christmas community event is designed to give gifts of clothes, toys and food to people in the community.
Josh Kuck and Andrea Johnson, seniors at Grace College and organizers of the event, said the program has been going on for several years now.
"We do it on an annual basis," Kuck said. "It's going to be one of the things the school (focuses more on)."
"They fund it completely," Kuck said of Grace College, "other than what's donated."
Funding includes operations and staff costs, he said.
"It's a one-day event," Kuck said. "But we do about a semester of planning."
Heart of the Holidays begins at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10 with a Christmas program. Kuck said singing, puppet shows, crafts and child care will be provided.
Following the Christmas celebration, the gym, filled with donated items from community members and college students, will be open to those in attendance.
"In years past we've had about 20 to 30 families - 50 to 100 people," Kuck said. "This year we've added a lot of advertising and public awareness, so we're hoping to get more."
"I love it," Kuck said of the program. "It's a great way for us to give back to the school and community." He also said it's a way to share the love of God they've received. "We understand that a lot of people give up a lot for us to be here and we want to show our (appreciation)."
For those who want to help with the holiday program, Kuck said, donations are always appreciated. Donations of toys, food and clothing can be dropped off in the lobby of the Alpha dorm at Grace College through Dec. 8. He asks that donations be in "fairly good condition."
"We have a good amount already," Kuck said. "We go to communities and allow people to set out (donations) on porches and we come by and pick them up."
Approximately 50 percent of donations come from Grace College students, he said. "It's a campus-wide service - not run by only a few."
But besides student donations, Kuck said he hopes to receive donations from community businesses, such as Christmas trees or hygiene products from dentists.
"That's always a good thing," he said. "We're open to that service."
Anyone interested in donating items for the Heart of the Holidays program can drop off donations in the lobby of the Alpha dorm, or call Kuck at 372-5200, Ext. 7669. [[In-content Ad]]
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!Photo=N1129001.JPG
Photo by Laura L. Sloop, Times-Union
Grace College's annual Heart of the Holidays program is set for Dec. 10. Pictured are organizers of the event Josh Kuck and Andrea Johnson.
WINONA LAKE - Grace College has set up a program to donate gifts this Christmas to families in need. The annual program, Heart of the Holidays, is set for Dec. 10. The Christmas community event is designed to give gifts of clothes, toys and food to people in the community.
Josh Kuck and Andrea Johnson, seniors at Grace College and organizers of the event, said the program has been going on for several years now.
"We do it on an annual basis," Kuck said. "It's going to be one of the things the school (focuses more on)."
"They fund it completely," Kuck said of Grace College, "other than what's donated."
Funding includes operations and staff costs, he said.
"It's a one-day event," Kuck said. "But we do about a semester of planning."
Heart of the Holidays begins at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10 with a Christmas program. Kuck said singing, puppet shows, crafts and child care will be provided.
Following the Christmas celebration, the gym, filled with donated items from community members and college students, will be open to those in attendance.
"In years past we've had about 20 to 30 families - 50 to 100 people," Kuck said. "This year we've added a lot of advertising and public awareness, so we're hoping to get more."
"I love it," Kuck said of the program. "It's a great way for us to give back to the school and community." He also said it's a way to share the love of God they've received. "We understand that a lot of people give up a lot for us to be here and we want to show our (appreciation)."
For those who want to help with the holiday program, Kuck said, donations are always appreciated. Donations of toys, food and clothing can be dropped off in the lobby of the Alpha dorm at Grace College through Dec. 8. He asks that donations be in "fairly good condition."
"We have a good amount already," Kuck said. "We go to communities and allow people to set out (donations) on porches and we come by and pick them up."
Approximately 50 percent of donations come from Grace College students, he said. "It's a campus-wide service - not run by only a few."
But besides student donations, Kuck said he hopes to receive donations from community businesses, such as Christmas trees or hygiene products from dentists.
"That's always a good thing," he said. "We're open to that service."
Anyone interested in donating items for the Heart of the Holidays program can drop off donations in the lobby of the Alpha dorm, or call Kuck at 372-5200, Ext. 7669. [[In-content Ad]]