GREENEVILLE – Generous hearts within the Tusculum University family are adding some sunshine to the lives of children facing challenging circumstances at Christmas.
Left to right, Melissa Dixon, Angie Tyler and Chelsey Wade from TRIO show some of the gifts that program provided for the Angel Tree.
TJ Turner wraps a gift for a foster child.
Tusculum has traditionally participated in the Greeneville/Greene County Community Ministries Food Bank’s Angel Tree program. This year, Tusculum family members gave gifts to 43 children.
Another staple of the Christmas season is the university’s Facilities Management Department holding an auction to raise funds to provide gifts to foster children. This year, the department raised $2,644 from the auction and received $221 in additional donations, and the total provided enough funds to buy gifts for 12 foster children. The $2,865 raised was about $1,000 more than the year before.
“We are thrilled to bring joy and smiles to children who otherwise might not receive Christmas presents like others,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president. “As part of our caring Christian environment, we are focused on ensuring people inside the university and the community feel valued and supported. I am proud of our faculty, staff and students who demonstrated their compassion and commitment to serve others in a meaningful way.”
Tusculum family members who participated in the Angel Tree activity bought gifts individually or formed teams to obtain the items on each child’s list. They received information about each child’s clothing sizes and interests and then headed to local stores to make the purchases.
Organizing the campus’ involvement in the Angel Tree are the Center for Civic Advancement and Dr. Troy Goodale, chair of the Social Sciences Department and professor of political science.
Members of Tusculum’s Facilities Management Department take a photo with the gifts going to foster children.
Dr. Shelby Ward, director of the Center for Civic Advancement, and Amanda Lunceford, a member of the Bonner Leader Program, stand by gifts for the Angel Tree initiative.
“Being part of the Angel Tree program is an honor, and we look forward to supporting children each year,” said Dr. Shelby Ward, the CCA’s director. “By participating in the Angel Tree, the Tusculum family shows its commitment to civic engagement and spreading joy at Christmas. The Angel Tree is particularly helpful for students because it gives them valuable lessons on serving others that will be applicable for the rest of their lives.”
The Facilities Management Department partners with the Greene County Foster and Adoptive Parent Association. Without the auction, the children the department assists would not receive Christmas gifts because they were removed from their homes so close to the Christmas holiday.
To help make this initiative a success, the department invites other Tusculum family members to contribute items for the auction. Then, the department sets aside a couple of hours in late November for its staff to participate in the auction. Only department employees bid and purchase items in the auction as a way to demonstrate their pride in this endeavor. The department accepts financial donations from fellow Tusculum family members to increase the number of children served.
Once the auction concludes and other financial donations are collected, the department purchases the gifts and spends a couple of hours afterward wrapping them.
“Our team enjoys holding the auction and creating happiness for children placed in foster care at this time of year,” said Chad Grindstaff, facilities management director. “Some of our employees will set aside funds throughout the year specifically for the auction and then bid generously on the items. It is heartwarming to see the love our employees demonstrate, but our greatest pleasure is knowing that these children will feel an extra measure of love as they undergo this transition in living space.”
For additional information about Greeneville-Greene County Community Ministries, please call 423-638-1667. Further details about Greene County Foster and Adoptive Parent Association are available at https://www.facebook.com/GCFAPA/. To learn more about the university, please visit www.tusculum.edu.