THEWIRE

By Kimberly Huffman

 

Alpha Beta Gamma and Georgetown Salvation Army are helping Delaware Technical Community College Owens Campus show some holiday spirit by holding a stocking drive to benefit local children.

 

ABG’s advisor Dr. Leslie Mergner said the Salvation Army dropped off 350 stockings to fill this year, and the college averages between 300-350 stockings each year.

 

The donations benefit boys and girls ages 3-14. Most stockings go to younger children, as they seem easier to buy for, but there is usually a shortage of donations in the 11-14 age range, Mergner said.

 

Books, card games, hair accessories and even items from the dollar store could brighten a child’s holiday, Dr. Mergner said.

 

Board games are also donated, and each child will get a stocking and a game, Dr. Mergner said.

 

The Salvation Army is scheduled to pick up the donations around Dec. 10.

 

The ABG is very passionate about this cause and look forward to it every year. Sometimes even former students offer help, Dr. Mergner said.

 

ABG President Anna-Marie Emmi is no stranger to goodwill.

 

Emmi was once a single mother with four children, and said the stocking drive felt like a way to “pay it forward.”

 

“We’re a community college and we’re here to reach out to the community,” Emmi said.

 

All stocking drive donations go directly to the Georgetown Salvation army and are distributed to local children.

 

Donations from our campus make up more than 50 percent of all toy donations in the area, Emmi said.

 

“I really look forward to it. I think it’s great to give back to the community,” Emmi said. “I think it’s great that we get to touch a child’s life.”