Santa visiting GVSU during holiday clothing drive

Instead of waiting in long lines at local department stores to visit Santa, students from Grand Valley TV are encouraging people of all ages to visit jolly old St. Nicholas at the Kirkhof Center on the Allendale Campus December 5.

Kids can sit on Santa’s lap, read their wish lists and take pictures in the Kirkhof Center lobby from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Pictures cost $2 with all proceeds going toward funding GVTV.

GVTV is also collaborating with Grand Valley’s Alpha Phi Omega fraternity to sponsor a holiday clothing drive through December 13. The group will be donating collected clothing to the Grand Rapids YWCA and Guiding Light Missions for Men. Donations can be dropped off in designated boxes in the following areas:

•    GVTV Office, room 0005, Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus
•    Mary Idema Pew Library, Allendale Campus
•    Steelcase Library, Richard M. DeVos Center, Pew Grand Rapids Campus
•    Grand Valley Women’s Center, room 1201, Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus

Students are asking for hats, socks, gloves, scarves, sweatshirts, T-shirts, pants, blankets, toiletry items and coats. Clothing may be new or used if in good condition.

Sean O’Melia, GVTV public relations coordinator, said the annual clothing drive is a great tradition for students and the West Michigan community.

“To help those in need stay warm during these bad winters is such an important task that often gets forgotten about” said O’Melia. “This seems to help and we always get a great turnout, so it not only helps our local community, but with all the donations we get, it really shows how giving Grand Valley students are.”

For more information about these holiday events and fundraisers, contact GVTV at [email protected]