01
November
2012
|
10:45 AM
America/Chicago

UHD Group Makes Fall Festival Memorable for Homeless Kids

Nearly 35 UHD students, faculty and staff came together to make the Fall Festival at the House of Tiny Treasures an event that brought smiles to the faces of dozens of children and their parents.

The House of Tiny Treasures is the only nationally-accredited early childhood development center dedicated to serving homeless children and their families, and the partnership between UHD students in the Departments of Urban Education, Natural Sciences and Criminal Justice has been in full force since 2006. Over the years, UHD volunteers have collected coats, toys, and planned special events to make sure these children enjoy the seasons and special holidays that many of us take for granted.

Held on the afternoon of Tuesday, Oct. 30, UHD volunteers began setting up for an event that included a pumpkin patch, animal balloons, chemistry displays, toys, stuffed animals, crafts and fun tattoos. UHD students were everywhere, offering assistance, smiles and a helping hand to the families participating in the event.

Sandra Garcia, a current student at UHD who is now in her senior year said she enjoyed volunteering at the House of Tiny Treasures and sees the benefits it brings her and her classmates. "It gets the university students involved in the community. We can apply what we learn from classes when interacting with the students," said Garcia, a first-time volunteer at the House of Tiny Treasures, whose job was to pass out stuffed animals to children.

UHD student volunteers learned that giving back is not only rewarding, but can be a lot of fun.