STCC students raise money to buy gifts for needy children

Back row, from left: Donna St. John, a clinician at Center for Human Development, student Monica Przybyla and Andrea Tarpey, STCC’s coordinator of student activities; middle row: students Laura Tompkins and Michael Capozza; front row: students McKenzie “Mickey” Prout and Kristiana Tadeo.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. –  The Office of Student Activities at Springfield Technical Community College looked more like Santa’s workshop on a recent December day as students prepared gifts to be delivered to needy children.

After holding a fundraiser, STCC students shopped for toys and clothing to fulfill the wish lists for several Springfield-area children who are served by the Center for Human Development.

The Office of Student Activities raised $547 through candy and popcorn sales to pay for the gifts, according to Andrea Tarpey, STCC’s Coordinator of Student Activities. The goal was to raise enough money to spend between $25-$30 per child.

The children will receive two gifts: one toy and one practical item such as pajamas, gloves or a winter hat, Tarpey said.

“We always get them a toy, but we also always get them something they could use in the winter,” she said.

I was really excited because we get to give back to children around the holidays who don’t have the same opportunities as we do. Kristiana Tadeo, STCC student

The gift-giving program has been an annual tradition at the Office of Student Activities for more than 10 years. Tarpey said the Office of Student Activities has helped more than 200 children in the past 10 years.

Donna St. John, a clinician at CHD, stopped by STCC recently to pick up this year’s gifts on behalf of the social service organization.

St. John’s daughter several years ago was a nursing student who belonged to a club that wanted to buy toys for kids during the holiday. She reached out to Tarpey, who thought it was a great idea.

Tarpey said she asks students each year if they want to continue the tradition. “They always jump on board and enjoy it,” she said.

Kristiana Tadeo, of Chicopee, a liberal arts student at STCC and member of the Student Government Association, said she looked forward to picking out gifts for her “adopted” children.

“I was really excited because we get to give back to children around the holidays who don’t have the same opportunities as we do,” Tadeo said. “We don’t think that $25 worth of gifts is a lot, but to them, when they open three or four presents under the tree, it’s really cool. Sometimes that’s all they get.”

Tadeo said she enjoyed playing the role of Santa’s helper for the children. “I feel good doing it, and I know I made a kid happy for Christmas,” she said.

About Springfield Technical Community College

Founded in 1967 and located on 35 acres of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, STCC is a major resource for the economic vitality of Western Massachusetts. As the only technical community college in Massachusetts, STCC, an Achieving the Dream Leader College, offers a variety of career programs unequalled in the state. STCC’s highly regarded transfer programs in business, engineering, liberal arts, science and technology continue to provide the most economical options for students pursuing a four-year degree. With an annual enrollment of more than 8,500 day, evening, weekend and online students, STCC is a vibrant campus rich in diversity.

For more information about STCC, visit www.stcc.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@S_T_C_C).

Media Contact: Jim Danko, jdanko@stcc.edu, (413) 755-4812

• See All News