By Kimberly Rhyan
In only six days, the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center cafeteria was transformed into a "Winter Wonderland Village." More than two dozen student groups collaborated to create one of the most beautiful villages Hofstra has ever seen in its 24 years of Sinterklaas history.
Students reached out to children who live in the Hempstead community.
Student groups created one-of-a-kind, interactive buildings that incorporated the Hofstra tradition of Sinterklaas with the universal gift of giving.
This year students and members of the community voted for most whimsical and playful, most innovative design, most attractive building and most creative use of materials.
Alpha Phi and Delta Chi won first place with over 300 votes for their Toy Store; all of the toys in their store are being donated to local organizations such as the Hempstead Boys and Girls Club. Delta Gamma & Tau Kappa Epsilon created a photo shop and won second place, and Tau Epsilon and Phi Epsilon won third place for their pizza shop.
In the "Winter Wonderland Village," all three traditions of Sinterklaas, Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa are represented and celebrated. It is also important to highlight the contributions of all our student groups and their impact on the local community, especially the Hempstead Boys and Girls Club.
Over a hundred children visited our campus and participated in interactive activities planned by the students. The children met Santa Claus and received a special gift package compiled by the Phi Sigma Sigma Sorority.
Over the past two weeks, I personally witnessed students with selfless attitudes, compassionate hearts and giving hands, as student groups made a genuine difference. It's my hope that this experience from construction to compassion will be practiced beyond the walls of academia.
I commend our students for creating the "Winter Wonderland Village" and for demonstrating acts of love. Thank you for caring and allowing me to share in this experience with you; it has been a blessing.
The Hofstra community can still get involved by participating in the 2nd Annual Toy Drive by dropping off new toys in room 260 of the Student Center before Dec. 14. All toys will be donated to the Hempstead Boys and Girls Club.
A special thanks to all the Hofstra students who devoted their time and energy to create the "Winter Wonderland Village." Thanks the NAACP, HOLA and H*INT (Multicultural Museum of Art), the Student Government Association and IMPACT (the Post Office), Alpha Kappa Psi and Phi Sigma (Bakery Shop), Delta Phi Epsilon and Pi Kappa Alpha (Train Station), Alpha Phi and Delta Chi (first place, Toy Shop), Zeta Beta Tau and Hillel (Woodworking Shop), Delta Sigma Phi and Sigma Delta Tau (Candy Shop), Tau Epsilon Phi and Phi Epsilon (third place, Pizza Shop), Theta Tau and Society of Women Engineers (Ice Cream Parlor), Sigma Sigma Sigma and Sigma Alpha Epsilon (Play-Zone), Alpha Theta Beta and NEXUS (Library) and Organization of Commuter Students and Resident Student Association (Barn).
Kimberly Rhyan, is the assistant director of Student Leadership and Activities. You may e-mail her at kimberly.c.rhyan@hofstra.edu.