Alpha Beta Gamma and The Salvation Army Stocking Drive embraces the spirit of the season

(Photo submitted)

Alpha Beta Gamma, Delaware Tech instructors and a Salvation Army representative proudly display some of the gifts donated during the 2014 stocking drive thanks to the generosity of staff and students.

By Alton Joseph

Alpha Beta Gamma (ABG) and The Salvation Army are preparing to spread holiday cheer on Nov. 3 when their annual stocking drive at Delaware Tech Owens Campus begins.

Starting on that date, staff and students will be able to pick up stockings outside of the Business Department offices in the Jason Technology Center that they can fill with presents for children in need in Sussex County.

Business Department Chair Dr. Leslie Mergner said the event provides a good opportunity to give back to the local community and everyone collaborates for a good cause.

“It’s great to see different organizations and clubs all come together for the purpose of the stocking drive,” Dr. Mergner said.

A flyer will be available with the stockings suggesting items to donate for different age groups, she said. All non-violent toy donations are welcome, however, older children, ages 11 and 12, are often nderrepresented during the stocking drive. Donors are asked to keep this in mind when shopping this year. Contributors who wish to purchase goods for this age group are advised to give and items that promote safety and health and beauty items.

A letter from the Salvation Army suggests additional donations for this age group could include videos, MP3 players, electronic games, school supplies, fashion jewelry and sports equipment.

Each year the stocking drive is a big success, Dr. Mergner said. Owens Campus fills around 300-400 stockings per year.

“It’s pretty neat to see around December our offices just start getting flooded with stockings,” Dr. Mergner said. “It looks like Christmas.”

“It’s gotten bigger and better every year,” she said.

Business instructor Dr. Heather Madden also praised the impressive turnout for the event each year and said over half of the stockings collected for Sussex County come from Owens Campus.

“They literally need to bring a truck to collect here,” she said.

Dr. Madden said people are already excited about the event.

“We’ve already been getting phone calls from people asking ‘Have the stockings come out yet?’ because people are already waiting,” Dr. Madden said.

ABG member Joseph Truppo worked with the stocking drive last year and plans on donating to the cause this year.

Truppo said his favorite part of assisting with the stocking drive was the chance to bring joy to less fortunate children.

“I enjoyed Christmas when I was a kid, and I feel like a young kid should enjoy that experience,” he said. “They should be looking forward to the holidays.”

Truppo enjoyed seeing the success of last year’s event when he would walk down the Business Department hallway.

“If you went down to see any of the business faculty, you saw stockings and toys everywhere,” Truppo said. “It was pretty cool!”

Stockings are due Dec. 1 to any member of the Business Department.

For more information about the stocking drive, contact Dr. Leslie Mergner at lmergner@dtcc.edu or Dr. Heather Madden at hmadden@dtcc.edu.

To learn more about how The Salvation Army helps communities and the services they provide, visit their website at http://www.salvationarmy.com/.