The Christmas season is fast approaching and along with holly, evergreen trees, and stockings by the fire, the holiday season brings with it a spirit of good will and generosity. It isin this spirit that the Sophomore Class and the Center for Community Service and Justice have been co-sponsoring the “Presence for Christmas” program for more than 15 years. The Loyola University community supports approximately 75 families each year and provides a food basket and presents for each family member.
In addition, gifts are given to more than 300 individual children, and several large “superstores” (gift giving programs) are coordinated with local community agencies. All of the “adopted” families and children are associated with the many community partners and programs with which Loyola volunteers work during the year. Recipient nametags are distributed in late October and early November to the college community and at the Sunday Masses (in the Chapel) and outside of Boulder Café. You may also register your sponsorship by clicking the appropriate link below. The wrapped gifts are received at Lessons and Carols, a Christmas service -- and longstanding Loyola tradition -- of choral music and sacred readings on December 4 in the Alumni Memorial Chapel.
Want to learn more? Listen to the WLOY "Spotlight on Service."
Select from the following to learn more or participate:
October 26th-30th: Opportunities to sponsor a child at tables outside of Boulder from 11am-2pm each day.
November 1st & 8th: Opportunities to sponsor a child at 11am and 6pm Sunday masses.
November 2nd-6th: Opportunities to sponsor a child at tables outside of Boulder from 11am-2pm each day.
November 10th: Last chance to sponsor a family.
December 4th: Wrapped toys for sponsored children should be brought to the Festival of Lessons and Carols in the Chapel (or CCSJ office).
December 9th: Family gifts and meals should be delivered to Student Activities by this date.
Ways to Participate:
Sponsor a child The individual kids portion of Presence for Christmas is designed to provide gifts for about 300-400 children from agencies with whom we work. Sponsoring an individual child works out well for individuals, on or off-campus, who would like to buy only one gift as opposed to adopting an entire family. You may register online by clicking the above “sponsor a child” link. Or visit one of the Presence for Christmas tables located outside of Boulder café October 26th-30th and November 2nd - 6th from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Opportunities to sponsor individual children will also be available after the 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. masses on Nov. 1st and 8th. Read more about gift suggestions provided by some community agencies.
If you lose your tag: you can look it up on this list which is in order alphabetically by first name. The list is updated as of November 6th. If you see any discrepancies or have any questions, email pfc@loyola.edu. Please make sure to have your tag # somewhere on your wrapped gift!
Sponsor a family The family portion of Presence for Christmas is designed to provide gifts and a meal for approximately 75 families in Baltimore city. Adopting a family for the holiday provides a great opportunity for departments, clubs, teams, and residence hall floors, to join in the spirit of Christmas. You may register online by clicking the above “sponsor a family” link.
Sponsor a superstore The super store portion of Presence for Christmas is designed to provide unwrapped toys and gifts to a few Baltimore agencies for their clients and families to “purchase” with vouchers they have earned through volunteering their time at that agency throughout the year. Superstore sponsorship is a great opportunity for large groups. Sponsorship groups are typically asked to purchase 50-60 unwrapped gifts for the program. Typically, they collect gifts during their annual holiday parties during the month of December.
