Volunteer Denice Shuker, who helped lead Adopt-a-Family collection in the Office of Human Rights, Equity and Accessibility, chats with Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society representatives Tina Gatt and Mike Clark during an appreciation event Wednesday in the Welcome Centre.
A reception Wednesday celebrated the contributions of the UWindsor community to the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society Foundation’s Adopt-a-Family program, which collects gifts for local families in need.
“The University’s assistance is immensely important,” said Tina Gatt, manager of community outreach at Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society. “This year, we helped 761 families, 41 of those sponsored by various departments at the University of Windsor. You have made a significant impact and brightened the holidays for those families.”
Campus volunteers have been participating for years, and last year donated a record total of $27,000 worth of clothing, toys, food, and household items.
Sabina Howell, administrative assistant in the Office of Public Affairs and Communications, co-ordinates the UWindsor effort.
“It’s nice for us to come together like this afterward to show some appreciation for the work of our volunteer partners,” she said. “We’re so lucky to be able to share our good fortune with local families who have less.”