Student government members have found a way to spread holiday cheer for fellow students and the community this season.
Adopt an ASU Family is a program that helps the University’s disadvantaged families by providing them with clothing, food and holiday gifts for Christmas.
Dede Grogan, a staff member in ASU Family Resources, part of Educational Outreach and Student Services, said the focus of this program is to help single-parent families on all four campuses. However, she said exceptions have been made and assistance has been provided to ASU staff members and two-parent families.
The program’s assistance allows the people in need to have more quality family time and puts less stress on the families, Gorgon said.
The program also allows a more positive and inspired outlook for students, Gorgon said, because it helps them mentally and emotionally gear up for the spring semester.
“This program would not be the success it is today if it were not for the generous nature of our participants,” Grogan said. “They are the true heroes.”
Grogan said she started the Adopt an ASU Family program in 2004 at the Tempe campus. ASU adopted two families that year, she said, and the numbers have increased since then. Last year, 29 families were adopted across all four campuses.
Grogan said last year was also the first time all four campuses participated and the program will continue to receive that participation again this year.
Each campus at ASU has a separate student government that runs the program. Grogan appointed a chief justice to the student governments at each campus to be in charge of the program on their campus.
This year, she expects the program will help at least 29 families, if not more, Grogan said. This will double the amount of families assisted since last year.
Every year the numbers of participants and donations continue to grow, Grogan said.
“This program and those who make it a success are amazing and make the world a better place,” Grogan said.
West campus is also taking strides to increase the number of families that they support. Leonard Montez, chief justice of the Associated Students of ASU's West campus, said he became involved with ASU West’s Adopt an ASU Family program in 2008.
In addition, Montez said the program gives West students an opportunity to give back to the community and help their fellow ASU students in need. He said some of the people who they assist have been victims of abusive relationships and domestic violence.
Montez said these people are starting over as ASU students to try and rebuild their lives. The focus of the program is for the families, but also the communities, Montez said.
“When one family member is in need we all are in need,” Montez said. “We are willing to roll up our sleeves and help someone that needs a little bit of assistance during these tough economic times.”
Montez said his goal is to increase the numbers of families being adopted by ASU West. Next year he would like to support between 15 and 20 families.
Political science and history senior Jillian Furbish was appointed to the Associated Students of ASU's West campus last May.
She now chairs and participates in the program. Furbish said working on the program with her fellow student government members has been a great experience.
“Using our position to chair ASU community service projects for students in need is a great way for the court to get involved and promote justice,” Furbish said.
Reach the reporter at khillhou@asu.edu
