by Sunnie Redhouse
Daily Lobo
Many Albuquerque children and families who are in need of holiday gifts will be getting help from a different source this season: the UNM Giving Tree.
The Giving Tree is set up in the SUB atrium and is decorated with lights and paper ornaments. The ornaments are unique with each ornament having a name, age, sex and type of gift for a person in need.
Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to take ornaments from the tree, buy the gift and return them to the ASUNM office by Dec. 15.
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"It's important because at this time of year, everybody likes to have the sense that someone cares about them," said Elliot Gall, assistant director of Community Experience. "It's nice to reach out and help people."
Gall said it is an important way to get students involved with their community, especially if the gifts are going to Albuquerque families.
"A lot of young people become aware of things outside of their own world," Gall said. "A lot of the people don't know what it's like to give."
UNM's Community Experience received children and adult's names from community shelters and homes such as New Shelter and the Ronald McDonald House.
Gall said the goal for the event is to have all ornaments taken off the tree and gifts bought for the people in need.
In addition to the Giving Tree, Community Experience is also collaborating with other student organizations and food vendors on campus to raise money for gifts.
ASUNM's Lobo Spirit Committee will take part in the event by allowing students to take holiday pictures in front of the Giving Tree on Friday with Lobo Louie and Lobo Lucy.
Although students are not asked to pay for their pictures taken, they are encouraged to give $1 donations, said Matthew Maez, ASUNM's Lobo Spirit committee director.
"It's a good way to utilize the resources on campus to help the outside community," he said. "If we work together, there will definitely be success."
Campus vendors will also take part in the Giving Tree by accepting donations in exchange for students' names to be written on paper ornaments and posted throughout the SUB.
UNM student Karli Redman said it's important to give back because the community supports UNM most of the time.
"Usually older people give back to the community," Redman said. "Now that they (students) are aware, they can do it too."
UNM student Shaylyn Garcia said she felt the Giving Tree gave a sense of connection with UNM and the outside community.
"It's important for young people to realize that there are people in need, especially this time of year," she said. "If you have the ability to help people, you should help them."
