By Brandon Seng
ConnectMichigan Alliance

What started as a small holiday project for Schoolcraft College’s MCC AmeriCorps *VISTA turned out to be an event bigger than she could have imagined.  Laura Stanton has been working with Schoolcraft to reach out to those in need, and the response she is getting from the campus and community are nothing short of incredible.

Stanton was in search of a small holiday project to help lighten the spirits of those in need in the Wayne/Westland area.  She happened across an opportunity to assist a homeless shelter there in time for the holidays.  This shelter is exclusive to families, and Laura saw this as a chance to spread a little cheer to children in need.

She sent an email to faculty and volunteers in her area.  The email spelled out her intent to provide the shelter with 56 gift bags for the children staying there.  According to Laura, the response she received was amazing, but not entirely unexpected.  The students and faculty at Schoolcraft have gone out of their way to serve others before, and are setting a precedent for achievements the reach way beyond their set goals.

With emails flowing in it was evident that the holiday spirit had taken hold of the Schoolcraft community.  When they finally stopped, the community had donated items which would assemble over 100 gift bags for not one, but two shelters in their area.

“It put volunteers into that giving mood,” said Stanton.  “You could see that they knew there are a lot of people who are a lot less fortunate than them.”

Laura hosted a wrapping party, wherein volunteers sorted and wrapped each present, ensuring that all gifts were evenly distributed and age appropriate.  With donations of wrapping paper and gift bags, presents were made ready for delivery to the shelters.

“The children were elated,” explained Laura, “this is something that we will definitely consider for next year.”  Next year, it seems, they just might need a sleigh.