‘We are an Aggie family’: Students sub for Santa for the holidays

‘Tis the season of gift-giving and cheer.

While this is a fun time for some, for others, it’s a difficult time of year.

And that’s where some Aggies are stepping in through Christmas charities.

Sub for Santa is one such organization. A non-profit organization, Sub for Santa gives people the opportunity to help others who are struggling with income with Christmas, said Dennis Jensen, a volunteer for the organization.

“Last year, they helped 888 kids have Christmas in Cache County,” said Hannah Pendergast, a senior in parks and recreation.

Families in need can be apply to be a part of Sub for Santa and go through a screening and evaluation process to see if they are eligible, Jensen said. Then their needs and wants are written down and put on an Angel tree in a store like Shopko or Lee’s Marketplace where shoppers can choose someone to help.

Gifts include socks, gloves, hats, toys, baby supplies, batteries and more.

Sub for Santa can be found on the Utah State University campus as well. Hosted by the Student Access and Diversity Center, students can help out children whose parents are students or alumni at USU, Pendergast said.

Students struggling for money and still wanting to help can buy commonly wanted items. They can also pool money together with roommates and friends to help out, said Nelda Ault, a volunteer board member for Sub for Santa and an adviser in the Val. R. Christensen service center at USU.

Other charities are also available on campus for students to donate to, such as the Festival of Trees, hosted by the Utah State University Student Association, or USUSA.

USUSA provided 50 trees this year for clubs and organizations on and off campus to decorate, said Alexander Aburto, a senior in accounting and USUSA traditions director. At the end of this week, the trees will be donated to Bear River Head Start, which will distribute them to families in need around Cache Valley.

Students can vote for their favorite trees at the Taggart Student Center International Lounge, or on their Facebook page, until Saturday night at Pobev.

“It’s a way that USU students and different clubs and organizations can give back to the community because they support us so much,” said Devin Wright, a junior in biology. “I’m on the track team and they’re constantly supporting us and helping us — coming to watch our meets and different things — and so it’s just a way that we can give back to the community and really start getting back into the Christmas spirit.”

Catlyn Major, a junior in plant science, agrees.

“I love it. I think it’s cool,” she said. “I think it’s a really good idea because it helps people out that can’t afford a tree and so it gives them a little more Christmas spirit, even if they can’t afford it.”

Pendergast said that it’s important to support charities and help out families in need, especially during the holiday season.

“It can be a time of depression for a lot of people who are struggling,” she said. “So things like this definitely help out those families and those individuals who are struggling this Christmas, with depression and anything else that they might be struggling with.”

In addition to getting involved during the holiday season, giving back to the community is something that should take place throughout the year, Wright said.

“I think it’s very important for people to help each other out,” Aburto said. “I think at the end of the day, we are an Aggie family.”

— miranda.lorenc@gmail.com
@miranda_lorenc