This holiday season, the St. Joseph’s College community is teaming up to give to those in need. Events and fundraising drives across both campuses are helping collect items for less fortunate families from nearby communities. Find out below how you can get involved and serve others this winter.
SJC Brooklyn
Full Court Peace
Thursday, Nov. 21, at 8 p.m. in The Hill Center lobby, and the week of Dec. 2 in Tuohy Hall
The Office of Student Success and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is collecting toiletries, gently worn athletic sneakers (size 8 and up for men and women) and cash for the nonprofit organization Full Court Peace. Donations can be brought to the Defend the Den event Thursday, Nov. 21, at 8 p.m. in The Hill Center lobby, or to Tuohy Hall the week of Dec. 2.
Thanksgiving Food Drive
Donations up until Thursday, Nov. 21, throughout the campus, and packing party Friday, Nov. 22, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The SJC Brooklyn community is collecting boxed and canned goods as part of a donation that will be made to Grandma’s Love, Inc., a nonprofit organization combatting childhood hunger in New York City. Donations can be made to various clubs, organizations and offices throughout the campus up until Thursday, Nov. 21. There will be a Packing Party Palooza on Friday, Nov. 22, in which students will pack the donated goods from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Government offices.
Thanks and Giving Jamboree
Monday, Nov. 25, in the Tuohy Hall Auditorium at 4 p.m.
Join S.T.R.I.P.E.S., Off-Campus Housing Association and International Student Union for a holiday celebration. Decorate Santa hats for the Guild of Exceptional Children while enjoying a Thanksgiving meal.
Giving Tree
Tuesday, Nov. 26, through Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Christmas tree in the Tuohy Hallway
Take a tag off the Christmas tree in the Tuohy Hallway, and buy a gift for a child in need. Place the unwrapped present under the tree by Thursday, Dec. 12. Gifts will go to the pre-k and kindergarten classes at P.S. 65 in the Bronx.
Holiday Festival and Club Basket Raffle
Tuesday, Dec. 3, in the Tuohy Hallway at 9 a.m. and the Tuohy Auditorium during common hour
Enjoy some breakfast food, music and holiday fun in your favorite pajamas. Raffles created by the campus clubs are on sale starting at 9 a.m. Purchase one raffle ticket for $1, six tickets for $5 or 15 tickets for $10. A portion of the proceeds will go to Midnight Run, a volunteer organization that helps bring food, clothing, blankets and personal care items to the homeless in New York City.
SJC Long Island
SVA and DKE Dodgeball Tournament
Wednesday, Nov. 20, from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Danzi Athletic Center
Play dodgeball with your friends for a chance to win prizes. Proceeds go to The Aleethia Foundation, which supports veterans, and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. It’s $20 to register a team of five. Stop by the Veterans Resource Center off of the Student Hospitality Lounge to register, or email the Student Veterans of America (SVA) at sjcsva.li@student.sjcny.edu.
CAB Charity Auction
Ticket sales Nov. 18-21 in the Student Hospitality Lounge from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The auction will take place Friday, Nov. 22, at 6 p.m. in the Eagle’s Nest Cafeteria.
All proceeds go to Casey, a young child with epidermolysis bullosa. Get two raffle tickets for $1, 15 for $5 or 35 for $10. You can also purchase a “Butterfly for Casey” for $1. The final auction occurs Friday during Charity Game Night, where you can get food and more chances to win raffles for $10.
SAAC Turkey Ball Tournament
Thursday, Nov. 21, in the Danzi Athletic Center during common hour
Students can put together teams to participate in the volleyball tournaments. Each team is encouraged to bring nonperishable food. Pizza will be served and prizes will be awarded at the event. Items collected will be donated to Long Island Cares, Inc. Email Alexandra Ehrhart at aehrhart@student.sjcny.edu with any questions.
Cookie Dough Fundraiser and Toy Drive
The chapter of the National Mathematics Honor Society Kappa Mu Epsilon held their annual Cookie Drive Fundraiser, from which the raised money is used to buy Christmas gifts for displaced families. Additional cash donations can be given to Donna Pirich, Ph.D., up until Wednesday, Nov. 27, in room 1-6 in the Business Technology Center. Unwrapped toys can also be donated. The Christmas gifts will be given out as part of SJC graduate Assemblyman Doug Smith’s eighth annual Holiday Toy Drive.
Thanksgiving Food Drive
Through Monday, Nov. 25, in the boxes in front of the Campus Ministry office (Suite Four in the Student Hospitality Lounge)
The Office of Campus Ministry is collecting nonperishable foods. Donations will be distributed to those in need within East Patchogue, Wyandanch and the South Bronx. Contact licampusministry@sjny.edu with any questions.
School Survival Kits
Monday, Nov. 25, in the Student Hospitality Lounge during common hour
The Sign Language Club and Project Sunshine are selling pencil cases filled with basic school necessities for $5. Purchasing one enters students into a raffle for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card. All money collected will be donated to the Mill Neck Manor School for the Deaf.
Stocking Stuffer Donations
Monday, Nov. 25, through Thursday, Dec. 5, in the Service Circle dropbox in front of room N303
Each year, the College collects stockings stuffed with small toys and Christmas goodies for children aged 5 through 12. They are handed out during a Christmas Toy Giveaway Program hosted by Patchogue’s Restoration and Rival Center, Inc., a nonprofit organization that helps local neighbors in need. Stockings can be stuffed with small toys, books, stuffed animals and other small Christmas gifts. Stockings donated should be labeled with an age and gender.
Blood Drive
Tuesday, Nov. 26, in the McGann Conference Center from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Bring ID with either a photo or signature.
By donating one pint of blood, you can save up to three lives. SJC Long Island’s last blood drive helped save as many as 315 lives, with 105 members of the College community donating. This event is more than 56 days after the last, so individuals who donated in September are eligible to donate again.
Project Sunshine Donation Drive
Through Wednesday, Dec. 4, in the Student Hospitality Lounge during common hour
Students can donate new non-slip socks, slippers, toys and wubbanubs (pacifiers attached to stuffed animals). Donations will go to Good Samaritan and NewYork-Presbyterian hospitals. Get a free raffle ticket for Project Sunshine’s Stocking Stuffer Raffle (which will be called at the end of tomorrow’s event) with each donation.
Kids Need More Toy Drive
Through Friday, Dec. 6, in the box in front of the Veterans Resource Center in the Student Hospitality Lounge
New and unwrapped gifts are being collected for local children up to the age of 18 with life-threatening illnesses. Donated gifts will be delivered to the Ronald McDonald House Charities, as well as directly to the homes of families with children suffering from life-threatening illnesses. Online donations can be made here.
Cookies and Carols
Monday, Dec. 9, in the Student Hospitality Lounge during common hour
Purchase $3 Panera mitten cookies and enjoy holiday carols performed by the SJC Shockwaves and SJC Sharps. Proceeds will be sent to the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, which donates musical instruments to underfunded music programs, and The Taylor Matthews Foundation (Tay-bandz), a nonprofit organization that raises awareness and funding for pediatric cancer research.
Winter Clothing Drive
Through Tuesday, Dec. 17, in the boxes in front of the Campus Ministry office
The Office of Campus Ministry is collecting new and gently used winter clothing for those in need. This includes winter coats, hats, gloves and scarves. Donations will be delivered Wednesday, Nov. 20, and again Wednesday, Dec. 18. Email licampusministry@sjny.edu with any questions.
Advent Tags
Through Tuesday, Dec. 17, at the Christmas tree in the Student Hospitality Lounge
Take a Christmas gift tag or two off of the Christmas tree in the Student Hospitality Lounge, and help a local family. All gifts should be brought unwrapped to the Office of Campus Ministry in Suite 4 of the student lounge by Tuesday, Dec. 17.
Operation Christmas Child
Pick up and return a shoebox from in front of the Student Life office through December.
Help Brothers and Sisters in Christ (BASIC) and SJC Long Island pack 150 shoeboxes for children in need this holiday season. Students choose the gender and age group (2-4, 5-9 04 10-14 years) they’re buying gifts for and mark it on the label. The box can be filled with small gifts, school supplies and/or hygiene items. Gifts will be given to the charity Samaritan’s Purse to send to children across the world. With a $9 donation, your box can be tracked worldwide. For more information, click here.
Toys for Tots
Through December in the box in front of the Security Office in the Student Hospitality Lounge
Donate toys, books and other gifts for children who would otherwise not be able to enjoy gifts this holiday season.
This list will be continually updated throughout the winter. Please continue to check back for new and updated information.
