With the holiday season and the craze of festivities approaching, Communication Arts Students remember the importance of giving. The Students at St. Thomas Aquinas College are partnering with People to People—the county’s largest food pantry—and challenging the entire college community to donate the cost of one beverage to Project Joy, the nonprofit’s holiday gift drive initiative that serves 1500 low-income families in Rockland County, NY. The STAC students hope to put a smile on the faces of Rockland children in need and with their campaign, “turn a cup of joe into a cup of joy.” 

Elaine Winship, Professor of Communication Arts, and her Public Relations and Social Media students are working with People to People as a part of a semester long service/experiential learning project. Professor Winship notes, “This project is invaluable. It bridges the gap between the classroom and the real world, allowing my students to practice and apply their public relations, event planning, and content development skills, while providing service to people in the community.” 

Communication Arts student Anthony Mathis says, “I’ve learned so much from this experience, helping families in need during the holidays, while gaining real world experience to add to my resume.” In addition to the cup of joy campaign, students invite all to attend “STAC’s Joy Party” on November 14 from 1:30pm-4:00pm in the Romano Student Activity Center, where letters and wish lists will be displayed and party guests can adopt families. Holiday festivities will abound as gaggles of festively clad students will run raffles, serve refreshments, and participate in assorted activities, while encouraging the campus and the community at large to provide holiday magic for children in need. “If enough people donate the cost of just one drink this season, our campus can provide hundreds of holiday gifts for Project Joy,” Mathis adds.