Adopt-a-Don campaign hopes to double donations in 2nd year

As Curt Hosier was growing up, there were many Christmases where he and his four brothers didn’t receive presents. There were also days on end when they didn’t have food. 

“When I was a little kid and stayed all night with somebody, I knew I was going to get a meal,” he recalled, “but then I really felt bad because I knew my mom and brothers probably didn’t get one.”

Now a husband, father, grandfather, and Purdue Fort Wayne senior lecturer in sociology, Hosier’s memories inspired the Adopt-a-Don assistance program. Entering its second year, the campaign helps students and their families in need during the holiday season. Faculty, staff, campus departments, or student organizations are invited to “adopt” an assigned student or their family and purchase toys, clothing, and household needs.

A maximum $250 is allowed per family, and last year, over $6,000 in items and gift cards were given away during the Adopt-a-Don Jingle Jubilee dinner, which included Santa posing for pictures.

The gifts were sorted and stored behind a door, and one woman gratefully accepted a bag of gifts and then turned to leave.

“No, no, no, we have more for you,” said Cicelle Beemon, The Women’s Center program assistant.

When all her family’s gifts were carried out on a cart, the woman started crying.

“People were overjoyed and emotional from so much campus support,” Beemon said. “We helped out a lot of people.”

Hosier and Beemon are the event’s co-chairs, while the other committee members are Rhonda Meriwether, Jayla Heller, Ryan Wooley, Abby Wang, and Regina Gordon.

Students who meet the criteria to receive gifts are currently being contacted. Registration to help with donations for this year’s event goes through Monday, with assignments made by Oct. 31. Gifts and items need to be delivered to The Women’s Center by 5 p.m. on Nov. 28. Questions can be answered by emailing [email protected].

“We’re going to make some more push to talk to different people in different academic programs that we really didn’t get a chance to last time,” Hosier said. 

Hosier said the program met about half the requested need last year. The students who received gifts were very thankful.

“My stepfather suffered a large stroke, leaving us with lots of debt,” one said. “We didn’t think we were going to have a Christmas last year until this amazing opportunity arose. It meant the world to my entire family, and we still talk about the impact it had on us to this day!”

Another story from a student who received gifts:

“Programs and things like this motivate me to better myself for my family and to show them that when people come together, we can do more. Last year, we were able to make a stressful time a great time. Without a good support system, it’s easy to fail in life. I’m so thankful for Purdue Fort Wayne as a whole. I couldn’t imagine going to another school!”

Last year’s dinner and giveaway were held in the Walb Student Union Classic Ballroom, but are being moved to the larger International Ballroom on Dec. 4 starting at 4 p.m. The goal is to double the number of students helped.

Hosier said he wishes he could do similar events every week.

“You never know if you might be someone’s only angel,” Beemon said. “People come to us when they don’t have anybody else.”