These initiatives include drives for toys, winter clothing, hygiene items, and more
The University of Guelph-Humber (U of GH) is more than just a building where classes are taught; it’s a place where the school community unites to create meaningful ripples of positive change, including through charitable initiatives.
“Organizing [a charitable collection] provided us with an opportunity to spread joy amidst the chaos that everybody endures in their lives. If everybody provides a small contribution, it ultimately surmounts to a very big impact,” second-year Psychology student Erica Conicella said, who’s one of many U of GH students involved in giving back.
Conicella is the president of Spotlight for SickKids (SFS), a student group at U of GH that takes action to support the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto. Until Nov. 6, SFS ran a “comfort kit” drive, collecting hygiene items (such as tampons, soap, etc.) and clothing for families whose children are patients at SickKids.
“A lot of the times when patients and families are rushed to the hospital, they arrive with little notice. We wanted to help them out by creating those kits, so they don't have to worry about that additional burden during their stay, when it's already stressful,” she said.
Around 15 student volunteers assembled the nearly-100 comfort kits, and SFS personally delivered the kits to the hospital – an experience that she said gave her a sense of purpose and accomplishment. This is the first time the group has done this, and Conicella said due to its success, SFS is considering making it an annual drive.
The comfort kit drive isn’t the only act of kindness happening at U of GH. There’s also the warm winter clothing drive put on by students in the CSS Society until Nov. 29 (with drop-off at GH108) and a toy drive held by the Early Childhood Studies (ECS) program, overseen by ECS Associate Head Dr. Elena Merenda, until Dec. 22 (with drop-off at the ECS resource room at GH318).
Thinking about how cold Canadian winters are, third-year Community Social Services (CSS) student and warm winter clothing drive volunteer Dallas Lockhart said collecting for the Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre shelter at 445 Rexdale Boulevard in Etobicoke would make a difference in people’s lives. Items needed include new thermal underwear, and new or gently used coats, scarves, sweaters, winter boots, hats, blankets, etc.
The four CSS Society executives spearheaded this initiative: Lockhart, Charlotte Kovacs, Kaitland Waind, and Laiba Noor.
“It's very important to for students, staff, faculty, everybody to give back because we take a lot for granted, I feel. As students, we're able to get education...and we figured some people don't get that opportunity, especially those who are without homes, without permanent addresses,” Lockhart said.
Given their program of study aims to address personal and social problems, the group has always had a proclivity to create positive change for the betterment of the community. This is something that inspired the CSS Society to run their initiative.
But the desire to help people isn’t unique to CSS students; students in the ECS program want to help the most vulnerable population – children. The ECS program’s toy drive aims to brighten the lives of children this holiday season because for many people, this time of year isn’t one filled with laughter and joy; rather, it’s one of the saddest times of the year for some families, Dr. Merenda said. It’s the first toy drive ECS has organized. The toys will be delivered to Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter – a haven for women and children escaping abuse.
“I thought that a toy drive would be something simple enough that we could manage to organize and facilitate,” she said. “Something very small, like a toy that a parent can maybe give to their child when they otherwise would not be able to if we didn't provide this opportunity is really important for us to be a part of.”
Collecting toys is more than just an exciting gift for a child. Third-year ECS student and toy drive volunteer Savannah Munro said engaging in play using toys is how children connect with loved ones to form special memories they can forever cherish. But some parents or guardians might not have the means to purchase the gift of a toy for their kids because paying the bills and purchasing food must be prioritized. This is why they’re “investing in children’s happiness” though this toy drive.
“A lot of our ECS classes will touch on big picture problems and it can be daunting to approach those at times...But if we can start small, I think that's a good start,” Munro said.
With so much in life out of our control, something within her power is how she can give back, Dr. Merenda said. “Being a community within my own spectrum at the university, my hope is that we could create something, as a program, as a very small village, we can make a ripple effect in the children's lives. I think it's a good opportunity for everyone to be able to create that ripple effect in the world,” she said.
And even within the U of GH community, there are initiatives to make our own students’ lives a little bit brighter ahead of exam season. The Psychology department is uplifting other students in the program by putting together exam care kits. These kits include a U of GH Psychology toque, a charm in the shape of a brain, Psychology program stickers, snacks, and a handwritten note with words of encouragement. Psychology program Chair Dr. Alice Kim, Associate Head Dr. Adam Sandford, and other U of GH staff and students assembled the kits.
To help make a difference, here’s where you can contribute:
- CSS Society warm winter clothing drive runs until Nov. 29, drop off at GH108
- ECS toy drive runs until Dec. 22, drop off at the ECS resource room at GH318
