Gadsden, Ala.—Faculty, staff, and students at Gadsden State Community College have worked to spread holiday cheer to many in the community through various charitable efforts. The Christmas Charity Showcase, which is held every November in conjunction with the Miss Gadsden State Community College Pageant, was the biggest fundraiser coordinated by the College. More than $4,500 was raised during the eighteenth annual event and silent auction with all proceeds being donated to the Salvation Army. Since the program began in 1994, more than $67,500 has been donated to charitable organizations.

The electrical technology department held a coat drive collecting more than 75 coats that were donated to area shelters and mission centers. The drive will continue through January 31, 2013. The annual drive began in 2005 and this year’s donations make a total of 1800 coats donated since the project began. The department also joined other community volunteers to replace flooring in a tornado damaged home in the Anniston area. Wallace Hall Fine Arts Center partnered with the Gadsden Public Library to sponsor the annual Holiday Movie Spectacular. Movie goers were treated to three free holiday movie classics and popcorn while non-perishable food items along new toys were collected for local charities.

Several student clubs actively participated in a variety of community projects. Phi Theta Kappa, a student honor society, continued an eleven-year tradition by filling stockings for the Salvation Army. They also hosted a conversational Christmas party for the Gadsden State international students. International students attending Gadsden State through the Community College Initiative wrapped presents for the Family Success Center and helped with the Father’s Heart Food Distribution while Students without Borders worked on a project to send toys to children in Guatemala. The Circle K Club hosted a Christmas party for the mentally and physically challenged providing dinner, games, and gifts for 125 attendees. Club members also assisted in coordinating the Gadsden Christmas Parade.

Rho Theta Sigma provided clothing and gifts for over 40 mentally challenged adults in Anniston, Centre, and Gadsden. The Southern Belle Dancers and Ensemble sent Christmas cards to men and women in the armed forces who were unable to come home for the holidays. Phi Beta Lambda provided Christmas stockings for girls at the Calhoun/Cleburne Attention Center in Anniston. The Student Nurses’ Association provided gifts and food for the adolescent residential program at Mountain View Hospital and held a food drive for Open Hands, a ministry offered through Meadowbrook Baptist Church to help the less fortunate families.

Employees at Gadsden State also participated in many area civic projects helping the less fortunate during the holidays. The Gadsden State family is proud to help those in need in during the holidays and throughout the year. The students, faculty and staff are very committed to being a vital part of the communities they serve.