Park University architecture and design students will participate in a local community event where they will create crafts for children. The event, called "We Care", is hosted by furniture companies and benefits the Boys and Girls Club. In previous years, Park students have made crafts like snowmen and reindeer that the children then assemble. The event helps provide gifts for children who may not receive presents otherwise. It is a good opportunity for the students to get involved in their community and network with local firms.

1. Park University’s architect and design students will par-
ticipate in Kansas City’s “We Care” event, hosted by two
furniture companies Herman Miller and the John A. Mar-
shall Co.
The event will be held at the Thornberry Center for the
Greater Kansas City Boys and Girls Club Dec. 10 and Park
students will participate as one of the 15 teams who join
annually.
This holiday tradition gives children the opportunity to
make homemade gifts they might not be able to make or
afford during the holidays. The event also provides the op-
portunity for Park students to prepare a fun creative craft
for children, kindergarten through sixth grade, to assemble
as holiday gifts.
The event also includes pictures with Santa, face paint-
ing, gift-wrapping of the homemade presents, and other
treats for the kids.
Kay Boehr, the program coordinator of interior design,
has been involved with the program for 15 years.
In the past, students from the university volunteered to
help at the event, often joining teams of local architectural
firms who participate. Recently, however, Park University
students chose to form their own team to build their own
craft.
“It’s a great opportunity
for students to get involved in
their community, said Boehr.
“It also lets them network with
local firms, which is a bonus.”
In the past, Boehr said,
students have done tube sock
snowmen, brown bags filled
with popcorn made to look
like reindeer, and homemade
mason jar snow globes. In fact,
Park’s team won the Traveling
Trophy, which is given to the
most popular craft.
Around 400 children par-
ticipate each year and have the
option to pick three of the 15
craft tables.
November 20, 2015 Page 3
Active military volunteer to help homeless
Upcoming events:
November
Thursday
-Thanksgiving meal at 12 p.m. in Copley
Quad Kitchen.
-CAFETERIA CLOSED ALL DAY.
26
27 Friday
-Thanksgiving break : NO CLASSES.
-Cafeteria holiday hours:
Brunch: 11.30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dinner: 4.30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
4 Friday
-Ugly Sweater Day
-Movie: National Lampoon’s Christmas
Vacation at McCoy Meetin’ House.
7 Monday
Cram Jam
December
Park celebrates holiday season with contest, movie
Twice a year Wade Able, Park’s assistant director of
military and veteran student services, along with many
students, volunteer for the Heart of American Stand Down
event where they help several homeless military veterans –
specifically Vietnam veterans.
Though the number of homeless veterans decreases each
year, the Heart of America Stand Down still helps to get
them back on their feet.
Able, a former Army ROTC trainer and active military
soldier, met with about 20 students at Herr House early in
the morning of Nov. 6. They loaded up the supplies donated
from students and faculty and convoyed down to Kansas
City, Kan., get to work.
“Last time we volunteered at the registration portion
of the event, where we organized the veterans as the came
in and gave them name tapes before they went to get their
stuff,” Able said.
Veterans are offered boots, shoes, clothing, medical
care, personal hygiene supplies, resumé help, haircuts and
whatever they need to get ready for job interviews. Food
and drinks are also available.
William H. Richardson, Jr., former Marine, said it is
important to give back to veterans who gave their life for
their country.
“Park students should be proud of the efforts they are
putting forth in helping someone less fortunate,” Richardson
said. “It shows character and integrity, and these veterans
will be forever thankful for your service.”
A bus, provided by the Heart of America Stand Down
organization, goes around Kansas City and picks the
homeless veterans up and brings them to the event. The
event opened at 7 a.m. Nov. 6 and went on until the late
afternoon.
If you are interested in volunteering at next year’s event,
contact Wade Able at the Warrior Center located on the first
floor of Thompson Commons.
Kristine Kennedy
Staff Reporter
PHOTOS/Max Mohr
On Nov. 18 President Jeff Ehrlich was surprised by his wife and many
Park University’s faculty, staff and students for his birthday.The cel-
ebration was held at the President’s house where everyone enjoyed
cake and each other’s company.
Thanksgiving meal
Students are finishing papers
and projects, preparing for the start
Thanksgiving break Nov. 26 and 27,
allowing time for some students to
travel to their relatives’ homes.
Yet, Park University consists of
384 international students, according
to Sherry Sebastian, Intercultural
Programming Coordinator. These
students may not celebrate this
American holiday.
“On thanksgiving day the cafeteria
is closed all day,” said Karie Schaefer,
director of residence life.
However, Schaefer said Sodexo
will sponsor a meal for residential
students who will be on campus
during the holiday.
Lunch will be dispatched in the
Copley Quad kitchen, at noon Nov.
26 and it will be free of charge.
Because the cafeteria will be closed
for dinner, students can grab an extra
plate and save it for later.
“It’s a traditional thanksgiving
meal,” Schaefer said. “There is
usually turkey and mashed potatoes
and gravy, corn or green beans. Kind
of the usual, with a type of pumpkin
pie or cherry or apple pie.”
According to Schaefer, no other
activities are planned, but she said this
is typically a good time for students to
come together. She said the tradition
of having a Thanksgiving meal in
Copley Quad is seven years old.
Upcoming activities
Dec. 4 will be Ugly
Sweater Day on campus.
“Students and staff are
encouraged to come to
work wearing their ‘ugly
sweaters’ and we will be
having a table where people
will be doing a raffle for
every person wearing an
ugly sweater,” said Jasur
Rakhimov, student program
specialist.
In the evening there
will be a movie showing,
National Lampoon’s
Christmas Vacation,
according to Rakhimov, it
was decided by the Park
Student Activities Board.
Snacks will be provided,
such as popcorn, and maybe
hot chocolate, Rakhimov
said. The movie will play at
McCoy Meetin’ House.
The last event of the semester
will be Cram Jam. The Residence
Hall Council voted Nov. 10 on a
theme for the fall 2015 Cram Jam.
The theme will be the game of Clue.
Cram Jam will be Dec. 7. The time
has not been determined.
PHOTO/Chloe Durand
Jasur Rakhimov, student program specialist, pres-
ents the statue named Joy. Joy is the new Mascot
of Park Student Activities Board.
Lauren Hamilton
Opinion Editor
Students create crafts for local children
Top left: Students in Interior Design and Architecture show off
the traveling trophy they won in 2013 at the We Care event held
for the Greater Kansas City Boys and Girls Club..They hope to
win the award again for 2015. Above: The traveling trophy.
Chloe Durand
Campus Life Editor
PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY/Kay Boehr
Presidential birthday celebration