Support students in residence this holiday season

During this time of the year, most students living in residence would be getting ready to pack up and leave for the holiday break — a time to spend with family and friends sitting around the dinner table, having coffee at the local café or enjoying a night out.

COVID-19 has brought on many challenges for our resident students this year, including not being able to travel home for the holiday break. In addition, there are limited resources and activities available on campus with COVID restrictions in place.

“For some of these students, this will be the first time they are away from family for the holidays,” says Shane Royal, senior director, Ancillary Services. “Not being able to travel home and not being able to gather with friends they made living next door, down the hall or in other residence buildings. All of these factors can impact individuals in different ways.”

Ancillary Services and Student and Enrolment Services have set up a UCrowdfund page to raise funds in an effort to spread some much-needed holiday cheer.

The goal is to raise $5,000 to support over 200 students living on campus during the holiday season. Your contribution will go toward various initiatives, including:

• Food support
  • Take-out holiday dinner
  • Gift cards, holiday baking kits, treats, etc.
• Funds to support activities
  • Snowshoeing, cross country skiing and skating
  • Terrarium and other DIY kits
• Discounted tickets for city events (in the event that they are not cancelled)
  • Calgary Zoo Lights, etc.

“This is a great opportunity for us to come together as a community and to help resident students focus on some positives," says Royal. "They are not alone, and we want to make sure that they have the best holiday experience that they can, under the current situation. We've already seen some units reach out to provide hot chocolate supplies and holiday cookies, and we're so appreciative of the kindness and generosity of our community."

If you would like to contribute to this initiative, please visit the Residence Students Holiday Support UCrowdfund page.

Have a safe and happy holiday season.