Christmas wishes will come true for 123 local children thanks to SVC Wraps for Kids.

They’re among more than 1,900 kids who have received holiday gifts through the annual program that began more than a decade ago. The program is a partnership between the Saint Vincent College Education Department and Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Laurel Region, which provides names and wish lists of children who could benefit from the gifts.

Education students at the college in Unity hold fundraisers and collect donations throughout the year to support the program.

More than 100 students and faculty of the department gathered on Dec. 7 to shop for and wrap gifts. Each shopper had $150 to spend per child.

In addition to toys and clothing, each child receives a stuffed stocking, a tin of popcorn, an ornament and a tote of toiletries for the family.

“This service project is as important for the preservice teachers as it is for the children,” said Kathleen Beining, assistant professor of education in the School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, who spearheads the project. “I always remind our students that everyone needs a little support at some point in their life. There is no better way to support families than to help them keep the magic of Christmas alive.”

The program’s supporters on campus include the Student Government Association, Campus Ministries, Bearcats B.E.S.T., the Fred Rogers Institute, Career Services and the college’s sports teams.

Fundraising is underway for the 2025 Wraps for Kids effort. Checks made out to ECECLUB can be dropped off at 21 Carey Hall on the Saint Vincent campus or mailed to the attention of Beining, SVC Wraps for Kids, Saint Vincent College, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650.

For more information, contact Beining at kathleen.beining@stvincent.edu.

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