UNMC reaches out to spread holiday cheer

Donations are being accepted at the College of Public Health for Toys for Tots.

Donations are being accepted at the College of Public Health for Toys for Tots.

‘Tis the season for giving, and the UNMC community is well represented in holiday outreach projects this time of year.

Spike hunger with Food Bank donations at volleyball tourney
During the Dec. 9 finals of the Center for Healthy Living’s intramural volleyball league tournament, the CFHL will be accepting canned food donations from spectators. Donations will be presented to the Food Bank of the Heartland in time for the holidays. The games are scheduled at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the CFHL gym.

Research shows your Food Bank donations will make a difference
The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research is sponsoring a holiday food drive for the Food Bank for the Heartland. If you would like to donate, there are several donation boxes located around campus (see list below). The boxes will remain through Dec. 19, or you can donate directly on line via this link.

Donation Box Locations:

  • Vice Chancellor for Research office: Academic and Research Services building, Room 2050
  • Sponsored Programs Administration: Academic and Research Services building, Room 2000
  • UNeMed office: Annex 14 Suite 3000
  • Clinical Research Center: University Tower, Room 3480
  • Durham Research Center: Durham Research Center, Room 1007
  • Comparative Medicine: Durham Research Center II, Room A099J

Brightening a patient’s holidays
The Department of Neurological Sciences faculty, advanced practice professionals, case managers and administrative staff are contributing to provide gift cards to a pediatric neurology clinic patient who comes from a single-parent family to help make the holidays brighter. The level of care for this patient, who travels to UNMC from outside Omaha, often must take priority over the parent’s work schedule. The gift card will be offered to support the patient and family in purchasing food, clothes and toys during the season.

Toys for Tots drive seeks families needing assistance
The College of Public Health’s Center for Reducing Health Disparities will once again participate in the local Toys for Tots campaign. The center is accepting applications from qualified families who would like to provide toys to their children, infants to 12 years old, this holiday season. Stop by the center office on the first floor of the Maurer Center for Public Health before Dec. 5 to apply. The center also is accepting unwrapped toys for children. Please keep in mind the older children are in desperate need of games, gift cards and other items. Contact Stephon McNeil at 402-559-9660 for more information.

Winter Essentials Drive aims to help families through season
The Student Ambassadors of the UNMC School of Allied Health Professions are holding a Winter Essentials Drive which concludes today. Drop boxes are located throughout Bennett Hall to accept clothing, bedding, toiletries and packaged foods. For more information, click here.

Goody bags, clothing drive aim to make holidays brighter
The UNMC College of Nursing-Northern Division has joined efforts with Northeast Community College to provide bags of snacks to patients of the Norfolk Regional Center who do not have family and/or are unable to participate in work therapy. The division also is holding a clothing drive for patients of the facility. People who wish to help can send monetary donations for snack bag purchases by Dec. 15 to: UNMC College of Nursing, Attn: Kristi Brummels, 801 E. Benjamin Ave., Norfolk, NE 68701.