Christmas Season a Time for Service and Celebration at Union College

UC Singers, the UC Regional Chorus, and Union Harmony perform for an audience of 500 at Saturday’s Christmas Festival.

Though the Christmas season begins at a time when students, staff, and faculty are preoccupied with final exams and the end of a semester, they still find opportunities to gather, serve, and celebrate.

The Christmas Festival, held on December 2, was one such opportunity. The event began with beautiful seasonal music and culminated in a reception in the Sharp Academic Center. Nearly 500 guests attended the annual festival, which has become a popular event during the holiday season. The concert, under the direction of Dr. V. Gay Gandy, Assistant Professor of Music, featured the Union College Singers, the Union College Regional Chorus, and Union Harmony. Ann Toadvine, staff accompanist, served as pianist and organist for the event.

The celebration will continue on December 9 as the Office of Student Development at Union invites local children to its annual Breakfast with Santa. The event is free, begins at 9:00, and gives children a chance to visit with Santa, make crafts, and hear stories. Each child is treated to a pancake breakfast and will take home a photograph with Santa.

Service is also on the mind of many at Union during this time of year. Common Partners, the college’s service group, is once again sponsoring the “Angel Tree.” Volunteers place names of local children on the tree, and members of the campus community purchase gifts for them. Around 40 local “angels” will receive gifts as part of this year’s project. The UC Newman Club, in conjunction with St. Gregory Catholic Church, hosted an Advent Mass and Dinner in early December. Guests brought toys or clothes to share with underprivileged children in eastern Kentucky.

To learn more about community service projects at Union, visit their website at www.unionky.edu.

December 5th, 2006

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