During the week leading up to Thanksgiving, in the spirit of giving back, the university community showed their thanks in a variety of events being hosted by organizations on campus.

On the Undergraduate Student Government Association’s Vice President of Community Advocacy and Diversity’s Instagram story, a schedule of events for the “Thanksgiving Week of Celebration” was posted. This week-long celebration was being sponsored by the Center for Student Engagement, Leadership & Orientation, Campus Career Closet & Pantry, ACE Women’s Network, Office of Advancement, Myatt Center for Diversity & Inclusion, Undergraduate Student Government Association, University Dining, Alpha Phi Omega and Happy U New Haven.

The flyer read, “Enjoy a weeklong celebration of social, education and civic engagement opportunities before Thanksgiving break!”

Some donations that are currently occurring are the Class of 2021/2022 Gift Program, Socktember for Integrated Refugee & Immigration Services (IRIS) and Penny Wars for United Ways. The Gift Program allows December graduates to donate to any University of New Haven college of their choice. Those who donate $5 or more, receive a green and white philanthropy cord for commencement. Socktember allows students to donate new socks to the Bartels Info Desk, Career Development Center, ChargerREC and the Office of Residential Life. All socks are donated to the IRIS of New Haven. Finally, all of those who participated in the Penny Ways, which is used to benefit United Way of New Haven, are entered into a raffle for the chance to win a $25 Dunkin Donuts gift card.

Some other events that were hosted for this celebration included the educational presentation of “The Whitewashing of Thanksgiving,” which took place on Nov. 16, the harvest market on Nov. 18 and ChargerTrot for IRIS Nov. 19.

University dining also was in the festive spirit as both FoD and Bartels offered Thanksgiving-themed foods to students. On Nov. 17, 60 commuter students without meal plans were given the opportunity to eat for free. They served food such as pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, stuffing and herb-roasted turkey breast.

Besides the USGA VP of CAD’s flyer, other departments and RSOs hosted events. Many organizations wrote out “thank yous” including USGA, who sent them out to faculty and staff.
Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha and the Myatt Center hosted the Bundle Up Clothing Drive.
Other events that occurred are Sharing Gratitude with HappyU New Haven and a Care Package Drive with Chi Kappa Rho.