News and Media

Published: Dec 15, 2011

Signs of the holiday season abound in downtown Savannah this December. Pine boughs and wreaths are draped between storefronts on Broughton Street, one of the city's bustling areas for commerce and dining. The windows of boutiques sparkle with festive holiday displays assembled by SCAD alumni who own or manage some of the retailers. Not far from Broughton and nestled in Poetter Hall sits shopSCAD, a venue to purchase artwork created by the university's best and brightest students, alumni, staff and professors. ShopSCAD's luminous appearance and distinctive merchandise delight pedestrians in Madison Square. Just a few blocks east lies Troup Square - a petite park wrapped in holiday garland and ruby red ribbons. Within the square a plaque stands to commemorate the composition of the classic carol "Jingle Bells" by a former music director for the adjacent church.

Historic Savannah is a location alive with beauty and charm year round, but the city truly shines during the winter holidays. As an institution deeply intertwined in the community, SCAD shares the joy of the season by hosting a special holiday film screening at Trustees Theater, offering free events at the newly expanded SCAD Museum of Art, and facilitating charitable donation programs.

For 17 years, SCAD and its outstanding network of students, professors, staff, alumni, parents and friends have participated in a Secret Santa program. This year, the university partnered with Union Mission to collect gifts for 125 children and five adults. The program sponsors a growing number of individuals each winter and, even so, the SCAD community continues to exceed the initiative's goals.

"The SCAD community is more generous than ever," said Erina Tandy, a Secret Santa co-organizer and the assistant director of enrollment events and programs. "To date, more than 145 volunteers have asked to adopt a child through the Secret Santa program."

Union Mission provides the university with children's wish lists as well as their clothing and shoe sizes. Tandy and her co-organizer, B.F.A. fibers student Shekinah Ramos, share this information with Secret Santa volunteers. The SCAD men's lacrosse team also donates toys that it collects in lieu of registration fees at its annual children's lacrosse clinic. Due to overwhelming and unprecedented support by the SCAD community, the university also was able to gather items for Union Mission's general donation list this year.

"We appreciate SCAD's support through the Secret Santa program," said Frances Carter, Ph.D., president and CEO of Union Mission Inc. "SCAD's Secret Santa donations truly help brighten the holidays for local homeless families."

Secret Santa donations include such necessities as clothing, books and school supplies in addition to the toys and novelties that grant each child's Christmas gift wish. Popular items include video games, bikes and dolls.

"I've adopted Amire, a four year old who likes Thomas the Train and Cars. He's the same age and size as my daughter and loves the same things as my son," said Tandy. "My children receive a lot of gifts at Christmas, and they want the same for Amire. Being able to share our blessings with him is easy, and the feeling we get in return is enormous. SCAD Secret Santa allows us to enjoy the true meaning of Christmas. It's an even greater joy to see so many people in the SCAD community taking part in this program."

"To me, it has always been more of a gift to give," said Ramos. "It is the excitement of imagining the other person's reaction and hoping they realize how special they are. I know our Secret Santas feel the same way. We all imagine the children opening their presents on Christmas Day and their overjoyed reaction."

As a SCAD student, Ramos has been involved in the SCAD Secret Santa program since 2007 when she first volunteered to provide charitable donations. Her involvement has grown each year, and she now volunteers to assist with gift organization, collection and presentation to Union Mission.

"I don't know if it is nature or nurture, but I can't help but to volunteer and be involved," she said. "If I stay in Savannah after graduating, opportunities for community participation will find me. Being active in SCAD clubs and being a part of Secret Santa has made me realize that I love working like this. The possibilities are endless."

Union Mission is dedicated to ending and preventing homelessness in the greater Savannah area, according to Carter. The nonprofit corporation provides a wide range of services, from emergency shelter and substance abuse counseling to employment training and long-term housing, for members of the Savannah community who are most in need.

Individuals may extend the season of giving into the New Year through financial contributions to Union Mission or by volunteering at the organization. Learn more about community involvement at unionmission.org.