A quartet of Bridgewater State University students and staff could have used a sleigh and a team of reindeer recently when they lugged dozens of gifts across campus to donate to underprivileged families through the Baskets of Love campaign.
And when the Student Education Association of Massachusetts (SEAM) members arrived at the Jumpstart Bridgewater headquarters in the Burrill Office Complex, what to their wondering eyes should appear but hundreds of gifts lining the hallways. The piles of bicycles, books and board games were dropped off by fellow Bears as part of the annual gift drive, Baskets of Love, which for the past 13 years has been overseen on campus by the members of Jumpstart.
“I’ve been doing this for years, and this is my favorite part of the holidays. This is what it is all about,” said SEAM advisor Beth Gracia, who is also an administrative assistant in the College of Education and Allied Sciences. “My kids are grown, so to be able to give other families what my kids had, there are no words for it. It really is special.”
The gift drop off was taking place across campus last week: SEAM volunteers were part of 41 departments and organizations from across campus, as well as local residents, that donated more than 500 gifts and 50 blankets to this year’s Baskets of Love drive.
Jumpstart volunteer coordinator Savaughn Dickerson, a BSU undergrad student, manages the donations. She said that this year alone 75 families in the Brockton and Taunton area would enjoy a brighter holiday season thanks to donations from more than 270 people affiliated with BSU who found it in their hearts to give.
Jumpstart, a national nonprofit organization focused on giving young children a path to academic success, has a BSU chapter that is comprised of more than 80 BSU students. They serve in12 classrooms in the Brockton and Taunton area. Those classrooms will be outfitted with supplies and materials to provide students with the best opportunity to succeed at school.
For the SEAM members, this year felt especially important due to the backstory of the family they were supporting. While the identities of Baskets of Love recipients are kept confidential, SEAM members were told that the family they were sponsoring this year consisted of four children under the care of an aunt and uncle — and the aunt is facing a terminal illness.
“Baskets of Love brings together the Bridgewater community, whether it is BSU students and families, staff, or Bridgewater residents,” said Savaughn. “It just shows how each one of us holds generosity and love in our hearts.”
That was on display for SEAM member Allison Ford as she shopped for the organization’s family after the group held a bake sale to raise funds for gifts. In line at Walmart, she was explaining talking about Baskets of Love when the cashier suddenly announced that a box was “damaged” and would be discounted. Moments later, a shopper behind Ford gave $20 to the cause. (Story and photo by Charlie Peters, University News)
PHOTO CAPTION:
Bridgewater State University’s Student Education Association of Massachusetts members who donated dozens of toys to a local family in need included (from left) Ashley Mastrorilli, co-advisor Beth Gracia, Peg Corey and Allison Ford. Not pictured are: Casey Durazzano, Kiera Fallon, Leigh-Ann Foley, Allison Gallagher, Torey Johnson, Bridget McCarthy-Houlihan, Deirdre Mulkerrins, and co-advisor Gia Renaud
