The first prediction of snow was yesterday and the temperature is dropping.
It can only mean one thing: the holiday season at Longwood will soon commence.
In due time, students who walk into Ruffner will be met by the large, lovely and warming Giving Tree.
Each year, the Office of Leadership and Service Learning opens up a project called the Longwood Giving Tree.
This is the fourth year of the University’s participation with the giving tree project. Longwood has put up a large tree in honor of the holidays for many years.
According to old yearbooks, the Longwood Giving Tree is one of Longwood University’s many traditions, dating back as far as 1936.
The tradition is represented by a tree that was purchased in 2006, that stands twenty-five feet tall and is lit up by 15,000 lights, in The Rotunda. Prior to 2006, a live tree was used.
There are sponsor cards for gifts for the holiday bags for the children that are hung on the tree along with generic cards for donations to specific university organizations.
Surrounding the tree are numerous poinsettia flower plants that are taken to a local retirement community after students leave after final exams.
In December, the Infant & Toddler Connection of the Heartland will deliver the holiday gift bags to as many children as possible to brighten their season. The cards will be available from Nov. 11-15, and Nov. 18- 22. The purpose of this project is to provide holiday gift bags to approximately one hundred children, from ages three and under, in the areas and counties surrounding Farmville.
These children do not receive many presents, if any, during the holiday season, so the organizations come together to provide gifts for the underprivileged children using the sponsor cards.
Students, staff, and faculty can participate by picking up sponsor cards from Room 218 in the Lankford Student Union, the lobby of the dining hall, or by emailing.
