RLA event produces 200 gifts for needy children

Students made over 200 Christmas boxes for children in need at “Operation Christmas Child” in the Hub at 7:30 p.m. on Monday. About 90 students attended the RLA event.

Students got the chance to pack shoe boxes with a variety of supplies to send to children in need all around the world, for Christmas. The three main supplies going into the boxes were school supplies, hygiene products and clothes. Students then could choose from different toys and accessories to put in their boxes. The supplies were separated into boy specific supplies and girl specific supplies in order to create personalized boxes to meet the needs of both boys and girls. The students also wrote a personal note to include in their box for the children to read. Cookies and drinks were available for students to snack on while creating their boxes.

 “Our goal for the event is to create 200 boxes to send to children in need for Christmas.” Neslon said, “Another goal for the event is to get people more involved with things happening around the world,” Mariah Nelson, housing and residence life assistant director, said.

 “My favorite part about this event is seeing the smiles on all the students faces as they come together to help kids around the world,” Chessa Parker, 21, senior of McCook, said.

Cab and senate teamed up to pay for shipping for the Christmas boxes. They spent $1800. RLA provided all the supplies for the event which were donated by Nelson and her family. 

This was the fifth year RLA put on “Operation Christmas Child.”