Wheeling University Helps Local Organizations During the Holidays

December 16, 2024

Wheeling University Helps Local Organizations During the Holidays

Wheeling, W.Va., December 16 - Wheeling University students, faculty and staff partnered with Catholic Charities and the Salvation Army to make the holidays brighter for area families.

"I am grateful to all our employees and students who donated food, toys and clothing to make the holiday season brighter for so many families this year. Our mission calls us to be men and women in service to others, and it is wonderful to see how our Wheeling University community lives this mission each day," said Dianna M. Vargo, Ed.D., president of Wheeling University.

The Athletic Department sponsored a Stuff the Truck food drive at the Wheeling University West Liberty Football game. Students, employees, and fans were asked to bring nonperishable food items to the game. Sports Information Director, Zack Zeigler organized this event and with the assistance of Aladdin Dining Services, they delivered nearly 600 pounds for food to the Catholic Neighborhood Center.

"As the city of Wheeling's university, events like this are our way of giving back to a community that has done so much for us," said Wheeling University Athletic Director Carrie Hanna. "As a campus community we are called to live our mission of educating for life, leadership and service with and among others, and this is one of the many ways we strive to live out that mission."

The Student Affairs staff led a drive to have Wheeling University students, faculty, athletic teams and staff sponsor children who were part of the Salvation Army Angel Tree project. In all, Wheeling University sponsored 114 children and purchased items such as bikes, winter coats, books and toys.

"I am grateful to my staff for organizing this project which warmed the hearts of so many children in our area. None of us realized that so many employees and students would participate. We not only collected all of the gifts, but our Coordinator of Student Activities and Events, Stefon Napier organized volunteers to load all of the gifts onto a truck for the Salvation Army and then unload it at their headquarters," said Mike Kochka, dean of Students.

Lt. John Lawrence of The Salvation Army said that when institutions like Wheeling University get involved, things in the community can change quickly. "Every dollar helps. Every volunteer hour helps. But when an institution like Wheeling University gets involved in such a big way, it changes the landscape of what we're able to accomplish. They really set a great example for what is possible in just a couple weeks when administration, staff, and students get excited about making a difference."

Employees also collected and delivered toys to Catholic Charities WV. Lead by the Admissions Office, Wheeling University delivered several large boxes of toys for the Catholic Neighborhood Center to distribute.

"The University mission to help others is part of the fabric of this campus community. To serve to others, especially at Christmas, warms the hearts everyone at Wheeling University. We hope this small gesture makes Christmas brighter for members of the greater Wheeling community," said Jennifer Board, vice president of Enrollment at Wheeling University.

"Catholic Charities West Virginia is so grateful for Wheeling University's ongoing commitment to providing for those living on the margins. The students, staff, and faculty have been shining a light on issues of poverty and justice since the university's founding, and we're happy that we can partner to bring the joy of the Advent and Christmas seasons to our neighbors in Wheeling," added Mark Phillips, President of Catholic Charities WV.