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A Season of Giving:
Collegiate Sinfonians Make a Difference in the Lives of Those in Need
The tradition of giving during the holiday season by Sinfonians spans back to the beginnings of the Fraternity and the works of Mills' Flower Mission. This project, which eased the suffering of those in hospitals on Easter and Christmas, was later transformed into the Mills Music Mission. Today, collegiate Sinfonians are not only participating in Sinfonia's national philanthropy, but they are also finding new ways to help bring cheer to those who need it most during the holidays. These projects range from feeding the hungry to caring for brothers serving in the military.
In the small town of Farmville, Virginia, the brothers
of the Mu Delta Chapter at Longwood University organize
Operation
Turkey for the Thanksgiving holiday. Created in 1997
by the office of Volunteer and Service Learning, "Operation
Turkey" was taken over by the chapter five years
ago, when there was a major need for assistance.
The chapter gathers the information of families ranging in size from two up to ten from local food pantries and shelters. Once collected, the chapter solicits the help of other fraternities and student organizations to purchase baskets of food for the assigned family. Baskets contain non-perishable goods such as gravy, instant potatoes, stuffing and canned vegetables along with a minimum $10 gift card to the local grocery so the family can purchase a |
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turkey. Some volunteers include additional gifts like oven mitts, thanksgiving decorations, or candy for the children. Finally, the chapter gathers all the baskets together and delivers them to the families the week of Thanksgiving.
Each year a different number of baskets are compiled based on the need of the community and food pantries. "When we first started, it was hard to get students to help out," said Mark Zimmerman, Mu Delta (Longwood) '03, one of the coordinators of the project. "We had to revise our marketing of the project each year and really go after organizations." After five years of a consistent face to Operation Turkey, students plan for the program and are eager to help out. "This year we had a sponsor for all 60 families in less than five days," stated Jordan Ashworth, Mu Delta '04, co-coordinator. "We then had an additional 23 organizations sign up. That's over 350 people that will have a happier Thanksgiving because of the support the campus has given." The additional baskets will be distributed to local food pantries to use.
Chris Morrow (left) and Dan Ashworth
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Not too far away in Tennessee, the brothers at the Pi Xi Chapter at Lee University are using the holiday season to support a brother who enlisted in the Air Force. Last summer, Christopher Morrow, Pi Xi (Lee) '06, left school after his freshman year to serve his country and is currently stationed in Texas. Morrow's big brother, Daniel Ashworth, Pi Xi '04, recognized the impact that Morrow had on the students in the music department. "Chris holds a special place in many of our hearts because of his hilarious sense of humor, genuine heart and kind spirit," Ashworth recalled. Eric Simpson, Pi Xi '06, Morrow’s best friend in college, added, "He’s the best man I’ve ever met, as far as integrity and overall personality."
It was this caring relationship that caused Ashworth to jump to action for his little brother. After many conversations, he realized how much Morrow missed the chapter and his friends from school. He also found that Morrow had no means of transportation and had to rely on taxis, which he hated paying for.
Ashworth began to consider sending a care package to Morrow and talked to people he knew who served in the military. Through these conversations, he discovered how meaningful a care package can be and determined that it would be the best way to support his brother.
Gathering pictures of his friends and letters written from brothers, Ashworth hoped to provide a care package that would hold meaning for Morrow. Looking to help with Morrow’s transportation woes, Ashworth began looking into getting donations to help pay for a bike, but instead had a bicycle |
donated by a member of the Lee University Symphonic Band. Ashworth collected additional items through December 1 and plans to ship the package and the bike shortly thereafter.
Whether it is through your own endeavors or through your local chapter, whether it affects one person or a whole community, whether large or small, remember that one person can make a difference. Sinfonia calls upon all of its members to give something to those in need - please remember this obligation this holiday season. |
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