University of Nebraska–Lincoln faculty and staff are wrapping up Christmas joy for Husker kids as part of Holidays for Little Huskers.
The university's annual gift drive for children of Husker students has become an opportunity for many units, including the University Health Center, to connect with the youngest members of the university community. Staff members at the University Health Center come together every year to reinforce their relationship with campus through holiday cheer.
"We love that the people we support with this initiative are also part of the community we provide care for," said Nate Abegglen, marketing strategist at the Health Center and coordinator of their donations.
This year, 92 donors provided 736 gifts to 150 children of 101 student parents.
The University Health Center, managed by Nebraska Medicine, has sponsored a family as part of the event for several years, Abegglen said. He sends a sign-up sheet in the office when registration opens that fills up quickly every year.
“Everyone’s always excited about who we get and what they’re hoping for,” Abegglen said. “The fun committee coordinates shopping for all those gifts.”
Abegglen gets questions about when the group will receive their match as early as October, making people’s enthusiasm obvious immediately. He said the holiday season seems to foster that spirit of giving.
“You tell by the speed to participation,” he said. “Whenever I send out my email, I start getting questions and they’re always quick to sign up … Some folks also wanted to get involved in a food pantry or sponsoring a family for Thanksgiving.”
They are excited to pick up gifts for the children, like popular toys, and sometimes parents add items like winter clothes to the list.
Domonique Cudjo, assistant director of the Gender and Sexuality Center and organizer of the event, said she sees this excitement across every donor.
“The donors’ enthusiasm to support students beyond the classroom and department services showcases a want to help past typical expectations by brightening the holidays for students and their children during a special time of the year,” Cudjo said.
Each match comes with information about the children and their families, and Abegglen said reading the backgrounds deepens the meaning of the process. The Health Center group even got the same family two years in a row. Abegglen said reading about the families makes it easier to get the children exactly what they want or need.
“It gives more context of what they’re giving toward,” he said. “It’s not just numbers on a sign-up sheet.”
During her time coordinating Holidays for Little Huskers, Cudjo has seen firsthand what it means to the families who receive gifts.
“It’s amazing to witness student parents’ gratitude during gift pickup when they express how supportive the UNL and Lincoln community is,” Cudjo said. “The support lets them know they are not alone, that there is a community that cares not only about them, but their family, as well.”
Abegglen said staff at the University Health Center values giving back to others on campus and showing their appreciation.
“Opportunities like this allow us to reinforce that we are part of the campus community and recognize how much the campus community means to us, going beyond the care we provide,” he said.
