Pat Vale-Dougherty, administrative assistant to the dean, UOIT Faculty of Education, and Kevin Dougherty, professor, Durham College School of Business and Information Technology co-chaired this year's campuswide Holiday Food Drive, raising more than $9,000 for community families, students in need and the Campus Food Bank.
Thanks to the contributions and volunteer efforts of Durham College students, staff and faculty, numerous families in the Durham Region enjoyed a very happy holiday. The school's 17th annual campuswide Holiday Food Drive brought in more than $9,000 in donations and an impressive amount of food for families in need.
The annual campaign was co-sponsored by Your Student Association, Students for Humanitarianism and Action through Respect and Education (SHARE), the Kinsmen Club of Oshawa, Durham College, UOIT and Trent in Oshawa.
With the monetary and food donations, the food drive was able to distribute food hampers to 40 Durham College students and their families and 31 community families, while also making a contribution to the new Campus Food Bank.
This year's food drive was a rousing success, raising almost $2,000 more than last year's total and was co-chaired by the husband and wife team of Kevin Dougherty, professor with Durham College's School of Business and Information Technology, and Pat Vale-Dougherty, administrative assistant to the dean, UOIT Faculty of Education. Dougherty was extremely pleased with the outpouring of support.
"It was a massive effort that provided enormous relief to many struggling families," said Dougherty. "Thanks to all who so willingly gave their time during this very busy season."
Included in those who gave their time was the more than 50 volunteers, who drove through the winter season's first big snowstorm to help sort food and personally deliver the hampers.
Students, staff and faculty were encouraged to make monetary or food donations during the campaign which ran from November 12 to December 14. Challenges to offices and groups did not go unheeded as the Durham College Career Development and Continuing Education department raised more than $800 alone with its bake sale.
Additional fundraising incentives included a gift basket raffle and Toonies for Turkey, where anyone attending the children's holiday party was encouraged to donate a toonie towards the purchase of turkeys and other perishable food items.
The Doughertys extend their heartfelt thanks to everyone who made a donation to the food drive and especially to the many volunteers. Here's to another successful campaign in 2008!