BC Cares spreads Christmas joy to others

By: JoANN AMMANN, Globe Intern
Dec. 21, 2006

The BCU community welcomed over 90 adults with special needs to the campus to celebrate the annual BC Cares Christmas Party. The party began at 10:30 a.m with residents from Opportunities Unlimited, Mid-Step Services and Siouxland Residential Services. BC Cares is an organization that provides students an opportunity to volunteer and do community service in Siouxland area as well as on campus.

Briar Cliff University President Beverly Wharton opened the morning by welcoming one of the biggest parties in its 30-year history. The Christmas party included a meal, the Cliff Carolers and also a visit by a "special guest" who came bearing gifts.

Neil Rohe of Le Mars was one of several students who volunteered for the event. It was his first year participating in the Christmas party.

"I thought it would be fun to do," said Rohe. "It's been great and I've met a lot of cool people. I have really enjoyed my time and haven't even been here that long."

Rohe said he has done several other things involving community service including working with Goodwill and Opportunities Unlimited with the men's basketball team and also doing service with the Knights of Columbus.

"It's fun to help out," Rohe said. "It's a great experience, you get so much more than you give."

After a prayer, the meal was served. One of the guests provided entertainment by singing a Christmas tune accompanied by Sister Mary Arnold Staudt, who also had been playing throughout the party.

Santa Claus and his elves were welcomed to the room after the meal was finished and then began passing the gifts out to the guests. Each guest was able to write a "wish list" of something they would like to receive this year for Christmas.

The Cliff Carolers were also on hand to sing traditional Christmas carols. The party ended with a prayer by a guest wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and thanking everyone for the gifts.

Becky Chauncey of Siouxland Residential was one of the guests this year.

"One of my favorite parts is that I get to see Santa Claus," Chauncey said. "I like getting to see the students, too. But I asked Santa for no snow!"

Fatima Sevilla, student coordinator of BC Cares, planned and worked with the entire event, including making each guest a stocking filled with candy canes and other treats.

"I really enjoyed reading the names on the gifts and seeing the faces on the people when we handed out their gifts," Sevilla said. "The most rewarding thing was seeing the guests come in really excited about the party and then seeing them leave excited about their new gifts."

Sevilla also went on to say that for many, including herself, being at the event allows people to feel good about themselves.

"I think everyone felt really good about being here and interacting with the guests," said Sevilla. "It's a feeling of happiness because you are there with someone who is really looking forward to being there with you."

"I felt awesome after it, I think those that were here learned new things about how life can be and the meaning of giving and making someone's Christmas a happy one," added Sevilla.

Mark Westrich, campus minister and full-time theology student at Briar Cliff, was pleased with the success of the event.

"It's been really remarkable. We've been planning and preparing for this for weeks," said Westrich. "The presents for the guests were all donated by staff and students."

Westrich also went on to comment on the remarkable outpouring of people.

"It was really just remarkable how fast people responded to the e-mail and how quickly they all jumped at the opportunity."

"My favorite part is seeing that everyone has been fed. We have volunteers taking care of everyone's needs and everything has been done that can be done," said Westrich. "I get to walk around and enjoy."

Westrich also said that he wished to thank all of the faculty, staff and students of the BCU community.

"We sent out an email to inform people that the party was coming up. Most of our staff has been doing this for a while, so they are familiar with this and it has really become a tradition," said Westrich. "The people were jumping at the chance to be able to participate."

Not only were the presents donated by the BCU community; the meals for the guests were also donated.

"The food is all donated by students - a guest meal off of their guest meal plan. They have provided enough for everyone here today, making it truly a campus wide event," said Westrich.

"Students are able to really get an appreciation for how much these folks enjoy being here and how much they look forward to it," added Westrich. "It's so easy to bring a little Christmas joy to people."

"I appreciate all the help that we have gotten, from both the faculty and the students," said Westrich. "It couldn't have been done without them."