December 2005

‘Twas Two Weeks Before Christmas…

By Donald Gakenheimer

And all through UMUC-Adelphi everyone was stirring, including the mice. Stockings were hung in graduate advising with care in the hope that the University would… close for a snow day. Toys for 393 underprivileged children of all faiths were stacked to the ceilings in rooms at four UMUC buildings. The packages came in all sizes. Some were small, while some were big. Some had bows, and others had personal messages to the children. They came from all departments with Santa’s helpers knocking on every door from the President’s Office to HR to Admissions to the deans’ offices to the hotel. Not a door was left undisturbed – not even a mouse.

With Keisha Campbell leading the drive, the gifts were wrapped and prepared for transport to the Salvation Army. “On Scott, on Tonya, on Pat and Theresa! On Michael, on Donald (and Blitzer)!” was heard from the third floor of the Inn and Conference Center as the gifts were loaded into vehicles for the ride to their next destination. The six vans full of toys arrived safely at the Salvation Army Center in Riverdale.

The toy drive helped even more children this year than in previous years. As the last toy was deposited at the Salvation Army with care, the captain there was heard to say, “Thank you, UMUC, and happy holidays to everyone!”