Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Grace College will hold the annual Heart of the Holidays event at 6 p.m. Sunday on the Grace College campus.
A tradition at Grace, Heart of the Holidays is an opportunity for individuals in need in the Warsaw/Winona Lake community to receive food, clothing and toys for the holiday season.
The majority of the event will take place in the Lancer Gym, according to senior Sarah Pratt, co-organizer. "Part of the gym is set up like a garage sale," she said. Bags of food will be made available for each family. Also, Grace College students will sort clothing and lay it out for families to see. Students will wrap toys and label them with the appropriate age and gender. This way, children can open the gifts themselves. The entire night is free of charge.
Students will provide supervision for the children who come with their parents to the event. Parents must bring their children to Grace's Alpha Dining Commons to register them. In addition, parents must sign their children out when they leave. "It's to make sure all the kids go home with who they came with," said junior Lauren Swarr, co-organizer. At the event, she said, the students will entertain the kids with puppets, stories, crafts, music, and "a whole bunch of fun kids' stuff."
Pratt and a group of volunteers are still collecting donations for the event. Pratt urges people to donate to the cause. "I'll even go get the donations," she said. Swarr says items can be dropped off at the Student Development office in Grace's Indiana Hall. The items especially needed are clothing, food and toys for kids, but the group will accept any other donations. "We'll take whatever people are willing to donate," Pratt said.
Swarr and Pratt encourage those who need help during the holiday season to come to the event. Also, Pratt asks that community members spread the word to those who are less fortunate. "Just tell people you know who are in need about this event," she said.
For more information on the event or to make a donation, contact Sarah Pratt at 372-5200, Ext. 7544, or Lauren Swarr at 372-5200, Ext. 7707. Also, for a map of the Grace campus, visit : www.ecampustours.com/VirtualTours/tourmap.aspx?FafsaCode=001800
