Success of holiday drives helps local families

The university community dug deep into its collective pockets this year for the annual holiday drives managed by the Human Resources Department and the University Program Council.

More than 11,000 pounds of food, 1,300 gift items and $600 were donated to the Denton Community Food Bank, the Salvation Army and the Denton Police Department's Silent Santa program.

The Human Resources Department's annual holiday drive brings in a combination of food, toys and monetary contributions. This year's food donation was smaller than last year's donation of about 18,000 pounds, but it still ranked as the second-largest food drive ever — with more than twice what was given two years ago, says Kristin McMeen, university training coordinator. Toy donations have remained constant, while monetary contributions this year were almost triple what was given last year. McMeen says she is pleased with how creatively the drives were encouraged by departments and organizations. For example, the Geography Club offered free back massages in exchange for canned goods.

The University Program Council sponsored its annual Adopt an Angel tree with requests from children, teen-agers and, for the first time, senior citizens. The office received about 300 gift items, which is the average amount each year, says Leah Adamowicz, administrative assistant. Proceeds benefit the local Salvation Army.

BY ELIZABETH DEL TORO paiswri1@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue

• Mean Green soars to grab bowl win
• UNT lays out plans for future expansion onto Eagle Point Golf Course property
• Beautification Committee continues work on campus appearance
• Staff survey indicates individual UNT groups place high priority on students, diversity
• Weather closing information
• Faculty Senate holds final meeting of 2002
• Special award recognizes longtime faculty member
• UNT departments move to new locations
• Changes may be coming to faculty workload policy

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