Sorority sisters painting faces, students passing out cookies, letters being written to Santa, and McDaniel administration dressed as elves. There was much to be seen on Dec. 3, when McDaniel College came together with the Boys and Girls Club of Westminster for the annual holiday party.
More than 200 members of the Boys and Girls Club annually attend the holiday party to enjoy a variety of activities with members of the McDaniel community. The evening featured food, crafts, and activity stations run by McDaniel student organizations. Leading up to the event, students partnered with Carroll Lutheran Village residents for the first time to bake cookies to be distributed to members of the Boys and Girls Club.
The party consisted of a variety of activities including playing with McDaniel men’s basketball team, doing holiday-themed Mad Libs with Writing Center tutors, getting face painted by a sister from Alpha Sigma Tau (AST), and meeting with Santa (President Roger Casey) in the Cookie Café at the North Pole. Every room of the new location of the Boys and Girls Club was filled with entertainment.
The event celebrated the continued partnership between McDaniel College and the Boys and Girls Club of Westminster. McDaniel students are involved in many initiatives with the Club including service as mentors, tutors, and program facilitators.
McDaniel student volunteers shared how they hope to come back for more opportunities at the location in the future.
“I loved getting to paint the kid’s faces because they always had such funny stories to tell me,” said Victoria Sellers, member of AST. “The way their face lit up after they looked in the mirror was so precious!”
“Our kids enjoyed the Christmas party so much,” read the email Community Engagement Liaison Kathryn Trembley sent out following the event, sharing compliments from the Boys and Girls Club of Westminster staff. “Our kids flourish when they are given individual attention, and we appreciate that you shared your time with them.”
McDaniel students were encouraged by the email to continue their outreach in the future, specifically during the upcoming Jan term when many of the regular mentors are on break.
If students are interested in the opportunity to mentor, tutor, and inspire the kids of Westminster, they can contact Sean Davis at sdavis@bgcwestminster.
