Alcorn family helps the needy for the holidays
The Alcorn State University family is making cheerful holiday giving one of their top priorities.
The Student Government Association showed their generosity by donating 150 packs that included toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, lotion, soap and wet wipes to Star of Hope Mission, a shelter located in Houston, Texas. The SGA also donated clothing and blankets to the shelter upon their arrival in Houston on Friday, Dec. 5. SGA President Zackeus Johnson felt honored to assist in bring smiles to the faces of the less fortunate.
“I feel that it is a blessing to bless someone else who’s actually in need, ” said Johnson. “Whether you donate money or time – giving back is beneficial – not just for the person who is receiving, but also for the person who is donating.”
The SGA also donated 60 boxes that contained toys, clothes and school supplies as part of their donation project, “Operation Christmas Child,” to the Samaritan Purse shelter in McComb, Miss. Nursing students from Alcorn’s Natchez campus also participated in the project. The students collected Christmas donations for the shelter. Johnson noted the value in forming new relationships with those they helped.
“When you volunteer throughout the community, you make new friends and get the opportunity to watch families and communities blossom. You gain skills, knowledge and expertise from volunteering and assisting those in need.”
SGA’s next stop was the Salvation Army in Vicksburg, Miss., where they donated money and toys to the shelter. SGA’s 2nd Vice President and junior class president Adrian McLain spearheaded the fundraiser.
“Christmas is the season for joy and giving,” said McLain. “The Christmas spirit must be embedded in all of us, especially children. Children should be able to understand the happiness of the season so that they are able to grow knowing the true meaning of this season.”
In November, the Department of Administration and Finance collected canned and dry goods that were used to feed families during the Thanksgiving holiday in the Stew Pot sponsored event, “Community Service Time.” Food donations were given to the Natchez Community Stewpot in Natchez, Miss.
