CLARION
Brevard College .Brevard N,C.
Vol. 57 Number 4
Monday, December 4,1989
BC is making this...
A very special Christmas
Lora Woodrum
Clarion Editor
Something new is happening on Brevard
College campus this Christmas season.
Something good! the Service Corp along
with the faculty, students, and Office of
Student Affairs will spread Christmas joy,
spirit, and love by giving toys and
household items to families less fortunate.
It all began when Sybil Dodson, Service
Corp coordinator, came up with the idea of
collecting toys for the local Brevard Shar
ing House. The Service Corp met and
made decorative boxes which were placed
in all dorm lobbies. Beam Administration,
and McClarty-Goodson. The toy drive
which began on Nov. 15 will continue until
Dec. 8.
But this was only the beginning of what
would end up to be an unforgettable
Christmas season.
Giving toys to needy families turned into
also giving the special gift of understan
ding and compassion to families of those in
Western North Carolina who are suffering
from AIDS.
The Service Club traveled to Asheville
Saturday Nov. 18 to help restore an old
home for AIDS victims. As students raked
and did odd jobs. Assistant Dean of Stu
dent Affairs Sharon Waggy and Dodson
spoke with an AIDS victim who addressed
BC students at the AIDS seminar in Oc
tober. Sharon Waggy said in recent con
versation that the subject of Christmas
was brought up when “Bill” stated that
many families did not know what to do
about Christmas this year. Sharon and
Sybil looked at one another and things
started clicking. They then began planning
and decided to help AIDS families.
“These people represent a group with
special needs,” said Dodson. Due to the
costs of fighting AIDS, most victims can
not afford such items, such as blankets,
detergent and other household items.
Because AIDS victims do represent a
group with special needs, most of these
needs are not met because they are social
ly unacceptable. Dodson added that
Brevard College could do something, even
if it is only a fraction.
The entire BC family (students, faculty.
Administration, staff) will get a chance to
help these families. Tonight is the annual
Christmas tree lighting, the special ac
tivities will begin at 5 p.m. At that time the
College will hold an open house. Faculty
and their families have been invited to the
dorms to visit students. Following the
open house, they will gather in the dorm
lobbies to decorate Christmas trees
donated by the College and enjoy
refreshments. Finally, the grand finale: at
8 p.m. everyone is invited to the annual
Christmas tree lighting and carol singing.
Jan Gillean has organized the event. Hot
chocolate will be served and faculty musi- Christmas music at this time, as everyone near the tree to be gathered and given to
cians (Preston Woodruff, Devin Brown gathers around the tree. Those who bring a those families to ensure a happy
and Jock Lauterer) will also perform gift for the AIDS families will place the gift Christmas holiday.
Waggy stated that the faculty has been
very supportive of the event. She added
that due to other cost she did not expect
students to donate. Emilee Wilkins, Cory
Clark, and Julie Connell are roommates
who joined the Service club to help people.
According to Waggy, there has been
some negative feedback al)out BC students
participating in helping AIDS victims. “It
shocked me about the lack of actual
knowledge these people have,” said
Waggy. She added that the students are
very careful. The contact in which the
students engage with the AIDS victims is
safe. “If anyone has any questions they
should contact the nurse,” said Waggy.
The toys collected will be divided . The
toys appropriate for the AIDS families will
go to Asheville and all other toys will be
given to the needy children at the local
Brevard Sharing House.
Waggy said,“This is an important thing
to do at Christmas. We should share what
we have. Even if it is something small, it
will bring a lot of happiness.”
Getting into the Christmas spirit early, the BC Service Corps is seen decorating toy drive boxes before
Thanksgiving. The group includes, front row, left to right, Jeff Angelo, Melissa Ingram, Lori Babb, Penny
Lane, Mark McCarthy, Cory Clark, Emily Wilkins, Brooks and Leslie Goodwin and Burney Mack; back row,
co-advisors Clyde Carter and Debbie Garrick, Service Coordinator Sybil Dodson and students Aldrin Cataby
and Julie Connell. Service Corps members not pictured include Joyea Warren, Kathy Crates and John Kanipe.
(Clarion photo)
%
Freshman Todd Wysong bags leaves along with Assistant Dean of Stu
dent Affairs Sharon
Raking leaves at the Western North
Carolina AIDS Project group home
in Asheville on Saturday, Nov. 18,
BC Service Corps members are,
left to right, Lin Redmond. Penny
Lane and Missy Ingram. (Clarion
photos by Syoii Ixidson)