News and Media

Article By: Jennifer Long
Published: Dec 4, 2008

As fall quarter winds down and students, faculty and staff take a break from the hustle and bustle of classes, many are taking the opportunity to give their time and money to help families and organizations in need during the holiday season. The Savannah and Atlanta campuses both organized activities and drives to encourage charitable contributions and community outreach.

Food banks benefited from procrastinating students, faculty and staff this year due to the Food for Fines campaign. During the last two weeks of fall quarter, SCAD community members could have their library fines forgiven in exchange for food donations. Savannah donations went to America's Second Harvest, and Atlanta donations went to the Atlanta Community Food Bank. There was a one-to-one ratio of nonperishable food to overdue books: Individuals with 10 overdue items could bring in 10 cans of food or other nonperishable food items.

In Savannah, the annual Secret Santa toy drive for local homeless children kicked off in November. Faculty and staff members can "adopt" a child for Christmas. SCAD organizers hope to provide gifts for 112 children at Union Mission and St. Mary's Home in Savannah. Secret Santa volunteers receive an e-mail with their adopted child's name, age and desired gift(s). Faculty and staff members also have made cash donations directly to St. Mary's Home.

In Atlanta, SCAD Atlanta faculty and staff are participating in the annual Toys for Tots campaign. Employees have been dropping off new, unwrapped toys at SCAD Atlanta as a way to make a difference in a child's life.

The SCAD office of student life, United Students Forum and Pro Initiatives partnered together to gather nonperishable food items at SCAD Atlanta before the winter break. All items were donated to the Atlanta Community Food Bank, which distributes almost 2 million pounds of food and other grocery items each month to more than 800 nonprofit partner agencies in 38 counties in metro Atlanta and north Georgia. The food bank supports a wide range of people in need, from children to the working poor. Food pantries, community kitchens, childcare centers, night shelters and senior centers are among the agencies that receive products from the food bank.

And on Friday, Dec. 5, faculty and staff members are volunteering at the Children's Holiday Gala held at SCAD Atlanta. The Children's Holiday Gala is a holiday tradition that honors the patients and families of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. The event's Festival of Trees features more than 30 honorary trees decorated by SCAD students. Live music, a silent auction that includes additional designer decorated trees, wreaths, tabletop displays and other fun surprises are part of this year's celebration.