Tar Heels Sharing Their Christmas
Dec. 18, 2001 By Bill Freehling, UNC Athletic Communications Assistant
For the second consecutive year, the University's 28 varsity teams have participated in "Share Your Christmas." The program is coordinated by the Durham County's Department of Social Services (DCDSS). It identifies families in need and works with volunteers to provide recipients with Christmas presents they otherwise could not afford. "Share Your Christmas" is in its 26th year. This holiday season, organizers of the program have attempted to provide for 1,100 families, which can include anywhere from one to 16 people. According to Karen Harris, director of DCDSS contract and head of "Share Your Christmas," between 3,000 and 4,000 Durham County residents will benefit. UNC's student-athletes have done their part to bolster these numbers. Harris said the school's teams have brought Christmas to 73 people, as compared to 56 people helped last year. Harris' main contact at UNC has been Melissa Fiss, a senior business major on the women's swimming team who has headed the Tar Heel effort. "Melissa has been absolutely wonderful to work with," Harris said. Fiss is a member of Carolina Outreach, a student-run community service organization of roughly 25 members that has representatives from most athletic teams. "Share Your Christmas" has been one of the projects undertaken by Carolina Outreach this year. Fiss, who was the swimming team's representative for "Share Your Christmas" last year, said she began organizing the program in November. She initially set a goal of helping 50 people, or roughly 15 families. She contacted each team to see if there was interest and said she was more than pleased by the response. "Every team I've talked to has gone above and beyond my expectations," she said. The DCDSS suggests that $45 is raised for each person receiving presents. Larger teams therefore took on more people than smaller teams. By bringing Christmas to 73 people, Carolina's student athletes raised $3,285 out of their own pockets. The money was used to purchase items deemed appropriate by individual teams. Fiss said her team bought clothes and toys for its family of seven. Team representatives then delivered the items to the families. Taking the time to deliver presents is rare even among the philanthropic people who participate in "Share Your Christmas," Harris said. She said she appreciated it not only because it saved valuable time for her and her colleagues, but also because of the effect it had on recipients. "When some of these athletes bring things to kids, it makes it that much more special," she said. "They're role models to them, and that means a lot." Fiss said the recipients are not the only people who feel special because of the program. "We all realize how fortunate we are," she said. "Each family comes with a story - most pretty tragic. This program makes us feel like you can give back to the community."
"College is a time when you really focus on developing yourself," he said. "There's a tendency to be self-centered. It's all about me, my future. Carolina Outreach lets students understand they're part of a community and that success in life is tied to others." "It's tremendous for these families to have a Christmas when they didn't expect one," he added. The Carolina football team raised more than $900 for Clarence and Dalphine Davis and their six children who live in Durham. One day after practice for the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl, several members of the team bought gifts at the New Hope Shopping Center and distributed them to their adopted family. "Everyone on the team, including the coaches and administrators, chipped in to help the family," said senior defensive tackle Anthony Perkins, who spearheaded the project for the football team. "It's a great way to show the real meaning of Christmas and I think everyone was generous in their donations. It meant a lot to us to see the smiles on the kids' faces when we presented the gifts." The baseball team adopted a family of four in Durham. Several members of the team went shopping at the beginning of the month for items for the entire family, including clothes, kitchen utensils, dishes and a brand new dirt bike. "This was a great opportunity for us to make a big difference at the holidays," said junior outfielder Sean Farrell, who was among several teammates who hand-delivered the gifts. "Our entire team really got into it and made it a fun experience. There's nothing like having more 30 or us together in the locker room wrapping presents. We hope this is the best Christmas this family has ever had. It really looked like it meant a lot to them to have us be a part of their holiday." "Share Your Christmas" is just one of the philanthropic events sponsored by Carolina Outreach. Headed by Jordan Walker, a sophomore on the women's soccer team, Carolina Outreach also has participated in activities including: Dance Marathon, a fundraiser for children's hospitals, an adopt-a-classroom program with Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, a walkathon for a student diabetes fund, and "canning," in which student athletes this year raised $2,500 for charity by collecting donations in cans outside the entrances of Kenan Stadium before the Oct. 13 Virginia football game. While Harris lauded UNC's student athletes for their help this holiday season, she also encouraged students and others to volunteer throughout the year. The DCDSS also sponsors a big sibling program - in which volunteers mentor children aged 6-18 - and a friendly visitor program, which helps provide visitors to elderly members of the community. To volunteer in Orange County, call 919-929-9837. To do so in Durham County, call 919-688-8977. Harris said volunteers are always welcome. |
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