During the holiday season in 2019, AASuccess students and mentors teamed together to help spread some cheer around the community. They organized over 25 gifts for children at Henry’s Homeless Shelter in Falls Church, and five new immigrant families in Takoma, Maryland. In addition to that, the members assembled 7 baskets of goodies for mail carriers.
What started as an idea to engage in another giving back project, turned into an event that painted many smiles on the faces of those receiving gifts and event volunteers. The event volunteers spent time together to buy, wrap, and deliver the gifts to their new owners. It was an opportunity for students to collaborate, learn more about the importance of doing good things for others, and the happiness that will follow it. Nancy Cu, an AASuccess student, was the person who initiated this cherishable event.
“I’m glad that my idea of a toy drive was a success. It makes me happy to see people smile when they receive new clothes and toys for their kids.” – Nancy Cu, Lead
“The Christmas Toy Drive was a very meaningful event to me and I think it really encapsulates the spirit of AASuccess very well. It was a lot of fun and I was able to bond with many of my fellow mentees over mutually not knowing how wrapping paper worked. As a new student, seeing everyone working together for a cause we all believed in and then being able to deliver the presents made me understand the importance of giving back.” – Linh Le, Student Volunteer
The holiday season is all about giving back to others and spending time with loved ones. Giving back is what AASuccess specializes in. With the work of Nancy and the earnest members, many deserving members of the NOVA community were able to be positively impacted. With this occasion, many other students continued to find inspiration to start projects based on their own passions and interests in the community.
