Campus, community creates ‘swag’

Chadron campus and community members volunteered a portion of their weekend to ensure Chadron’s Christmas would have “swag”.

Led by Lucinda Mays, administration and finance grounds supervisor, about 15 volunteers participated in the campus-sponsored swag decorating Nov. 22 in the Sandoz Center Chicoine Atrium.

The swags will be displayed at the main gates on 10th Street and in the Student Center. Volunteers were also invited to decorate swag for their homes.

“Students love to see the Student Center dressed up,” Mays said. “It’s nice to do little things this stressful time of year.”

Swag is a type of greenery used for holiday décor.

Colorado blue spruce supplied the 10th Street swag greenery and Black Hills spruce was used for Student Center swags.

Mays and other Mari Sandoz employees harvested the greenery for about a week prior to the event.

The greenery could not be gathered much sooner, otherwise the needles would dry out, Mays said.

Cut branches are set on one another, the needles creating substance.

The thick ends of the branches are held by wire, and for this Mays reminded volunteers to use “creative wiring” skills to guarantee the decorated swags would be tough enough to withstand the wind and extreme weather that can accompany a Chadron winter. Bows were then fastened to the top of the swags, and volunteers were encouraged to add their own décor if desired.

The swag-decorating event began four years ago, when the 10th Street main gates were built, according to Mays. Only two to three people decorated swags in the beginning, but the event grew significantly when it was opened to community volunteers.

Dewayne Gimeson, college relations public information specialist, volunteered for the third time Saturday.

“My motivation is to help the college, just to volunteer,” Gimeson said.

The swags will be displayed for over a week, until the needles are too dry to continue spreading Christmas cheer.