USU Inclusion Center hosts 12th annual Sub for Santa

The Inclusion Center at Utah State University is sponsoring its 12th annual Sub for Santa to help USU families in need.

Every year, students with families in need can apply for assistance through the Inclusion Center’s website. Once they are found eligible, volunteers will sponsor the individual through donations of clothing, toys, books and financial donations.

Sponsors are asked whether they would like to sponsor a child or a family, and then given a list of needs for the individuals with the freedom to purchase whatever they choose. Those gifts are then dropped off at the Inclusion Center office and distributed to the families.

The Inclusion Center’s Sub for Santa differs from the community one as only USU students can apply for assistance. Currently only 14 children from five different families have applied. These applications are open until 4:00 p.m. on Dec. 10.

To become a sponsor, volunteers need to fill out a form on the Inclusion Center’s website. All gifts for the 12th annual Sub for Santa need to be dropped off no later than 5:00 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the Taggart Student Center in Room 315.

Sub for Santa was started by Dorcee Winward, an office manager at the Inclusion Center before she retired. This year, the event is being coordinated by Inclusion Center interns.

Cassey Babauta, the Indigenous Programs intern at the Inclusion Center, has been involved with the event for the past three years.

“We are always looking for individuals or departments to donate to our annual Sub for Santa, to help Aggie families who are having a difficult time this holiday season,” Babauta said. “Donating to an Aggie family will help spread the holiday cheer and make their holiday season a season they won’t forget.”

Babauta also expressed gratitude for those who have already contributed to Sub for Santa.

“Spreading the love and holiday cheer this season to support Aggie families is a gift that I will not take for granted,” she said.

Kayleen Lam, another intern with the Inclusion Center, is also helping coordinate the event. She has been involved with the event for the past two years.

Lam encouraged her peers to donate if they were able.

“Donate if you can. If not, it’s OK. The smallest contribution can make the biggest impact,” she said.

Lam also credited others involved for their contributions in continuing the tradition of giving at USU. One of those she thanked was Chalon Keller, a professional practice assistant professor in the Marketing and Strategy Department and the Center for Entrepreneurship.

Keller said every year they do a service project in which they can use business skills for social benefit. In previous years, they’re chosen to collaborate with Sub for Santa.

To encourage the use of business skills, groups within the club are organized into teams and given $25. They are then expected to find a method of fundraising where all proceeds go to the Sub for Santa program.

“I’ve seen some teams get really creative,” Keller said. “I had a team of three young ladies who, for several afternoons, raked people’s yards. They spent $25 on garbage bags and rakes and were able to raise $600.”

Students involved in the club have also previously sold art, hosted events and done acts of service to raise money for Sub for Santa.

“We are an Aggie Family,” Keller said. “It’s important to teach these students that you can do well and also do good.”

Even students can see the positive impact of this annual event. Brady Parsons, a USU freshman, believes Sub for Santa is a great thing to have on campus.

“It does a good job of helping people feel involved because it’s so community centered,” Parsons said. “It’s one of the traditions that make people pay attention to those around them.”

-Jared.Adams@usu.edu