The Marvin Center will be decked out with musicians, carolers, mistletoe and an abundance of seasonal food for GW’s 20th annual holiday party to be held Dec. 18, from 2 to 4:30 p.m
“For 20 years, the party has been an opportunity to give back, to catch up with colleagues across the University and, of course, to enjoy your share of food and entertainment in celebration of the holiday season,” says Kat Bugg, executive director of University events.
This year’s party includes a roving band of faculty and staff carolers, the opportunity to pose for photos with colleagues and GW mascots, and a performance by the George Washington University Jazz All Stars. President Steven Knapp will welcome faculty and staff in the Grand Ballroom, says Ms. Bugg.
Canned and dry food items will be collected at the entrance of the party to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank. Employees bringing donations will be entered into a prize drawing with a grand prize of a week at the Ocean Key Resort in Virginia Beach, Va. Attendees can also create greeting cards for U.S. troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan, donate socks for U.S. troops or toys for needy children, and knit with GW’s Red Scarf Project.
The winner of this year's door decorating contest will be announced at the party and, for the first time this year, will receive a “special” award. The contest, which draws entrants from across campus, is judged by a committee of faculty and staff, chaired by John Ralls, special advisor for communications and outreach. A slideshow of the decorated doors will be shown in the Continental Ballroom.
In addition to the Foggy Bottom celebration, GW’s Virginia Campus will hold a holiday brunch with prize drawings on Dec. 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., in Building 2, Colonial Cafe.
The University’s observance of the season goes beyond the holiday parties. In what has become an annual University tradition, GW collects and donates gifts to local families in need through the Adopt-a-Family program. This year, more than 160 departments and student groups donated gifts reaching more than 600 individuals through the Office of Community Service-sponsored program.
GW’s Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps is holding its annual Toys-for-Tots drive. The effort has collected $8,000 and 100 toys for needy children in the D.C. area. GW NROTC midshipmen devoted 68 hours to the drive--all while attending classes, completing final exams and fulfilling their NROTC duties.
The GW Bookstore and the University’s Jumpstart program are holding a children’s book drive. Visit the bookstore until Dec. 17 to participate and receive a 20 percent discount on books purchased at the bookstore for the program.
The University is collecting socks for U.S. troops stationed abroad. Sock donations can be dropped off in Duquès Hall’s first-floor lobby or brought to the holiday party.
For the fifth consecutive year, the GW Red Scarf Project is teaming up with the Orphan Foundation of America in support of the National Red Scarf Project. Handcrafted scarves knitted or crocheted by GW community members are given to America's college-bound orphans and foster youth.
The University is holding a clothing drive with boxes for donations placed at locations throughout GW’s campuses until Dec. 16. Earlier this month, GW held a blood drive sponsored by the American Red Cross.