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The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Student Newspaper
December 4, 2013 - January 14, 2014
Toys for Tots: ‘Tis the season of giving at UALR Kezia Nanda
Staff Writer Kananda@ualr.edu
W December 4th
Law @ Lunch
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. DSC Meeting Room G
5th Mini-Mindfulness Meditation 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. DSC Room 201R
7th Alphas vs. Nupes Basketball Game 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. DSC Fieldhouse
ith as little as $1, college students can make a difference in a local, less fortunate child’s life, according to Non-Traditional Student Program Coordinator Cynda Alexander. This is the second year that UALR has been appointed to be a drop-off location for Toys for Tots. The program, which was started by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve over 60 years ago, collects new toys and distributes them to children of financially challenged families in the community surrounding the particular drop-site. Alexander, who coordinates the Toys for Tots drop-off at UALR, said some of these recipients are UALR non-traditional students, many of whom are single parents and of low income striving to get their education. Alexander said the toys need to be new and unwrapped to ensure safety and so the parents can choose the most suitable present for each child. “That way the children never know, whether they believe in Santa Clause or not, they don’t know that mother did not provide these for me,” Alexander said. According to Alexander, gifts as inexpensive as a box of crayons, a coloring book, and a story book, which cost about $1, can have a huge psychologi-
Photo by Kezia Nanda Toys for Tots provides Christmas gifts to children whose parents or guardians could not otherwise afford the expense. UALR’s Toys for Tots Drop-site Coordinator said the program can teach less fortunate kids the broader picture of the world and remind them that someone cares. cal impact on the kids who are accustomed to receiving handme-downs. She said when they go back to school in January and hear other kids bragging on Christmas presents, they will not feel left out. Alexander said that she hopes the recipients will feel that someone cares about them. She said these children are usually given photocopy pages and rarely own a new coloring book. “Picture that little kid on Christmas morning, opening
that up and going ‘Aaahh! It’s brand new! It’s all mine! I get to color every pages!’” The Toys for Tots drop boxes are located in front of the Office of Campus Life, the UALR Bookstore, the Diamond Cafe, and Starbucks. Drop boxes can also be found in the main lobby of the second floor of the Student Services Center and in the foyer near the cashier’s office in the SSC. Donations will be accepted until Dec. 16.
Jacob Ellerbee Executive Editor Editor@ualr.edu
T CLC food drive surpasses 13,000
8th
The Way Intenational Bible Study Event
KenDrell Collins Editor kdcollins@ualr.edu
12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. DSC Ledbetter A
T
he Reach 13,000 food drive hosted by the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps has come to a close and the total number of donations is higher than ever. The organization, which began in 1976 and has hosted the event for three years, surpassed its goal, collecting 14,247 food items - nearly 200 more than last year. The initiative was started by the Student Government Association and later handed over to the to CLC. It was initially dubbed “Reach 12,000,” but the number increased following trends in enrollment statistics. Most of the items will be relayed to the Arkansas Food
10th Let it OWT Open Mic 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. DSC Ledbetter A
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Bank. A portion of the goods is contributed to the Staff Senate’s Helping Hands program, which plays an active role in the local community. “They try to put together food baskets for the holidays during Christmas. They need specific items for us. They provide meals for staff and families on campus,” said CLC Program Coordinator Nick Steele. The organization and department that raise the most food items are named the winner of the food drive. The AAMI/AAFI/HLI Leadership Institutes was the top organization this year, raising exactly 3,132 goods. The back-toback winner, Testing Services, which raised 1,295, accompanies them in victory. The winners will be rewarded with a pizza party to be held at a later date.
CLC raised the most overall with nearly 5,000 items, but after winning two years straight, Steele decided it was unfair for the host team to win. “Competition breeds excellence,” Steele said. “A lot of the items were Ramen noodles but it doesn’t matter, it’s going to be eaten. I think competition is the key there, to get people involved and donating to a good cause.” Steele also said he would like to have a Ramen noodle drive during the spring. “That’s it, nothing but Ramen noodles. Stack up the Ramen noodles, see how many we can get, take pictures in front of it, call the Guinness World Records and say, ‘Hey we have the most Ramen noodles in one spot ever collected by a college campus. Put us in the Guinness Book of World Records.’”
Index Features Entertainment Sports
Library will offer extended hours during finals, SGA president says
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Photo by Benny Scroggin Volunteer Lauren Coggins and others help organize a fraction of the over 14,000 non-perishable items piled in the center of the foyer on the first floor of the Donaghey Student Center.
he Ottenheimer library will be offering extended hours during final exams this year, with the possibility of offering extended hours in the future if students take advantage of the hours, according to Lauren McNeaill, president of the Student Government Association. McNeaill and Trey Gibeault, vice president of the SGA, spoke to J.B. Hill, interim dean and director of pubic services of the Ottenheimer library, about the possibility of extending the operating hours of the library. Hill said he would be willing to extend their hours during finals week to see if students utilize the extended hours and to see if it is something the library should do in the future. Typically, the library is open until 11 p.m. during the week, but beginning Dec. 9, the library will remain open until 2 a.m. The extended hours will be observed Dec. 9 – 12 and Dec. 15 and 16. “After great discussion, Interim Dean J.B. Hill has agreed to run trial periods of extended hours during the week of finals, beginning with this fall semester,” McNeaill said in a press release. “This is an excellent opportunity for student organizations, administrative offices, and academic departments to show their support for student success,” she added. She said that student organization involvement, as well as involvement from administrative offices and academic departments, can help boost student turnout. “If this trial period is a success, meaning that students take advantage of the extension, this will be an initiative that continues to take place,” McNeaill said in the press release. If your organization, office or department would like to participate, McNeaill asks that you send her an email for more information at lmmcneaill@ ualr.edu.