Chargers Bring Holiday Cheer to Local Families

When Olivia DeNigris ’23 received an email about the Office of Residential Life’s annual Adopt-A-Family event, she immediately knew she wanted to be a part of it. She asked her friend to join her, and they volunteered to help wrap gifts.

For DeNigris, a dental hygiene major, it was a wonderful opportunity to make the holiday season merrier and brighter for several local families. She was excited to help support the program and to give back during the holiday season.

“Lots of people are struggling, and I can’t imagine them having no gifts to open,” said DeNigris. “I want to help as much as possible. It’s nice to give back.”

'We have something to offer'

She and her friend, Sara Halligan ’23, joined their fellow Chargers in the University’s German Club, where they helped spread holiday cheer by wrapping the many gifts generously donated by members of the University community.

“It brings everyone together and it’s a community effort,” said Halligan, a finance major. “Everyone really came together, and I hope this also brings families together during the holidays. I hope this makes the families happy.”

The Office of Residential Life, in collaboration with Family Centered Services of Connecticut, sponsored nine families from the New Haven area. The organization provided a bio and a wish list for the families, and Chargers donated the requested items. Staff and students then volunteered to wrap the gifts, coming together for an early holiday celebration inspired by their passion to care for others.

“It’s important to remember that we have something to offer to someone else,” said William Frazier, associate director of residential education. “Being able to give to people who really need it makes this worthwhile.”

'We are part of a community'

Now in its fifth year, the program has supported dozens of local families. The University community has typically donated a few hundred gifts each year. Danielle Farrell, assistant director of residential education, says the annual event is a wonderful way for students to give back while learning about the important impact they can make.

“The holidays are a time to come together as a family and as a community,” she said. “It’s important for students to know that we are part of a community – not just the University community, but a larger community. This connects them to that community.”