The Charger Blog

Chargers Bring Holiday Cheer to Local Families

'Tis the season for the Office of Residential LifeӰԭs annual Adopt-A-Family event, which enables Chargers to give gifts and support to local families while experiencing a sense of connection and community.

December 12, 2022

By Renee Chmiel, Office of Marketing and Communications

Office of Residential Life staff members
Office of Residential Life staff members at the gift-wrapping event.

When Olivia DeNigris Ӱԭ23 received an email about the Office of Residential LifeӰԭs annual Adopt-A-Family event, she immediately knew she wanted to be a part of it. She asked her friend to join her, and they volunteered to help wrap gifts.

For DeNigris, a dental hygiene major, it was a wonderful opportunity to make the holiday season merrier and brighter for several local families. She was excited to help support the program and to give back during the holiday season.

ӰԭLots of people are struggling, and I canӰԭt imagine them having no gifts to open,Ӱԭ said DeNigris. ӰԭI want to help as much as possible. ItӰԭs nice to give back.Ӱԭ

'We have something to offer'
Sara Halligan Ӱԭ23 and Olivia DeNigris Ӱԭ23.
Sara Halligan Ӱԭ23 (left) and Olivia DeNigris Ӱԭ23.

She and her friend, Sara Halligan Ӱԭ23, joined their fellow Chargers in the UniversityӰԭs German Club, where they helped spread holiday cheer by wrapping the many gifts generously donated by members of the University community.

Gifts for families
Some of the many gifts collected and wrapped by members of the University community.

ӰԭIt brings everyone together and itӰԭs a community effort,Ӱԭ said Halligan, a finance major. ӰԭEveryone really came together, and I hope this also brings families together during the holidays. I hope this makes the families happy.Ӱԭ

The Office of Residential Life, in collaboration with , sponsored nine families from the New Haven area. The organization provided a bio and a wish list for the families, and Chargers donated the requested items. Staff and students then volunteered to wrap the gifts, coming together for an early holiday celebration inspired by their passion to care for others.

ӰԭItӰԭs important to remember that we have something to offer to someone else,Ӱԭ said William Frazier, associate director of residential education. ӰԭBeing able to give to people who really need it makes this worthwhile.Ӱԭ

'We are part of a community'
Chargers gathered to wrap gifts for local families.
Chargers gathered to wrap gifts for local families.

Now in its fifth year, the program has supported dozens of local families. The University community has typically donated a few hundred gifts each year. Danielle Farrell, assistant director of residential education, says the annual event is a wonderful way for students to give back while learning about the important impact they can make.

ӰԭThe holidays are a time to come together as a family and as a community,Ӱԭ she said. ӰԭItӰԭs important for students to know that we are part of a community Ӱԭ not just the University community, but a larger community. This connects them to that community.Ӱԭ

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