by Mollie T. Marchione/Photos: Laura Wells
The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work led by Dean Barbara White made the holiday brighter for UT Elementary School (UTES) students and their families in need by participating in the 2010 UTES Holiday Sponsorship program.
The family support program is overseen by School of Social Work alumna Kerri Fisher, the school social worker at UTES. Fisher coordinates family holiday “wish lists” with participating University sponsors who then shop for items and collect donations. Sponsors wrap and organize the gifts and deliver them to UTES in time for holiday distribution.
Clinical faculty and staff at the School of Social Work wrap and organize gifts for UTES families in need this holiday season.
Kathy Armenta and Mary Mulvaney, members of the clinical faculty at the School of Social Work, led the sponsorship effort. They thanked faculty and staff for their “kind generosity and spirit of caring.”
Much needed clothing, shoes and basic necessities were provided in abundance—as well as several toys and treats for each child and gift cards for the parents.
Clinical faculty and staff members spent one morning wrapping and organizing the items, and then delivered everything to UTES in the afternoon.
White said, “Even in these most difficult economic times, our School of Social Work community has stepped forward and made a difference for two UT Elementary School families—seven children and their parents—through the Holiday Sponsorship program.”