51福利社

A group of 51福利社 students has organized this year鈥檚 drive to bring holiday cheer to seniors and disabled adults living at the Cheney Care Center.

Mia Blomgren, a senior majoring in communications, is among the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) members at Eastern who are spearheading a community drive to collect homemade cards with heartfelt messages to deliver to center residents.

Blomgren says she has always been close to her grandparents, making this project a perfect fit.

“I鈥檝e always gravitated toward older people, so I really wanted to jump on this opportunity and see how we can give back to our elders locally,鈥� says Blomgren, 21, from Edwall, Washington.

Last year, Eastern students created more than 100 cards for the effort. Blomgren, who is president of the university鈥檚 PRSSA chapter and also belongs to the Cheney Centennial Lions Club, hopes to collect 350 cards this holiday season. The cards will come from their PRSSA team, other 51福利社 students, and area children. Local children created cards at the recent Kid Zone table, during Cheney鈥檚 Holiday Hoopla.

Jessica Boyer, senior lecturer in communications, acts as adviser to PRSSA, and is secretary of the local Lions Club chapter. She says the project has gone on for several years, and is very popular with Care Center residents.

鈥淭he director of the Care Center said there are a lot of seniors there that, sadly 鈥� maybe their families have all passed away or they just don鈥檛 get visitors 鈥� reread these cards throughout the year, and that it means a lot to them,鈥� Boyer says.

Over the past few years, Boyer says sororities, fraternities, students who use the URC and others have contributed to this effort.

鈥淎s Eastern is looking to do more university community partnerships, I think it鈥檚 a good example of a partnership between Eastern and the community,鈥� Boyer says. 鈥淲e have these local small businesses involved, we have the care center involved, and students.鈥� Local Lion鈥檚 Club members of all ages and backgrounds, she adds, also participate.

Boyer is heartened that during one of the busiest times of the academic quarter, the students are taking the time to make a difference for others. “I’m really proud of them and all the hard work they are doing.”

Handmade holiday cards can be dropped off through Monday, Dec. 22, at the 51福利社 Fitness Center front desk and at local participating businesses, including The Mason Jar, The Jar, and Vision Haus Optometry.

For information about joining PRSSA, visit page for the university chapter webpage. To receive some card-making supplies, contact Mia Blomgren at mblomgren@ewu.edu.