The Towson University Holiday Committee visit with a new friend after delivering blankets to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at GBMC Hospital.
Towson University students brought tidings of comfort and joy to the local community this past week.
On Dec. 5, the Office of Student Activities and the Student Government Association (SGA) presented the fourth annual TU Holiday event.
The event celebrates all denominations, educates students how those with varying beliefs take time to celebrate during this time of year, and is packed to the brim with holiday-themed activities. Events included mug decorating, writing letters to veterans overseas, holiday bingo and getting your picture taken with Santa.
But one of the most popular activities at TU Holiday was called “Project Cozy,” which allowed students to make blankets to be donated to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at GBMC Hospital located in Towson. Towson University students made approximately 50 blankets to be donated.
“We want to thank all of the students for donating their time and efforts into making these blankets,” said Chris Rindosh, coordinator of Student Organizations for Student Activities. “But it wouldn’t have happened without Rebecca Ellison and her vision and ambition.
“She really made this happen and was the driving force behind this project,” Rindosh added.
Ellison, a junior psychology major from Baltimore County, had been making blankets for years before attending Towson. So she wanted to bring one her favorite traditions to the TU campus.
“This is just another way Towson has allowed me to become a leader,” Ellison said. “ I always valued community service. And it’s just so moving to see my peers value it as much as I do.”
As part of the TU Holiday committee, Ellison helped raised funds, bring attention to the cause and even get a discount from the local JoAnn Fabrics’ store and found the hospital to donate the blankets.
Along with Ellison’s work, the SGA helped with the funding of “Project Cozy.”
“Adding this project to ‘TU Holiday’ shows Towson understands the true spirit of the holidays,” Ellison said. “This wouldn’t have happened without the financial support, the friendships and the collaborations that are prominent on this campus.”
On Tuesday, the TU Holiday committee personally delivered the blankets to GBMC. One of the new mothers was so thankful for the gesture, she invited the students to meet her recently born child.
“It was just a really moving experience,” Ellison said. “The weeks of hard work and planning was worth it to see their appreciation. It adds so much worth to what we did.”
