Kaleidoscope has once again joined forces with many other clubs on campus to present the Holly Jolly Holiday Party for a second year.
Kaleidoscope is a campus club that serves as a peer-to-peer interaction-based student organization, where LGBTQ students and Allies can work together to create a sense of human solidarity and concern for the common good.
The public is invited to attend the Holly Jolly Holiday Party from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Center. Entrance fee for one person is $3, which covers the cost of food and fun, and a family can attend for a set price of $10. Children 2 and younger get in free.
All proceeds go directly toward adopting families of South Central Mental Health (SCMH) Center in hopes of spreading more Christmas cheer.
SCMH is a nonprofit organization in Kansas that provides mental health and community-based services to 412 children in Wichita and its surrounding areas. Nearly 70 percent of the children SCMH helps come from poverty-stricken families. With a goal of keeping children out of hospitals, SCMH provides outpatient care in a safe environment.
“It costs around $200 to fully adopt a family, to give them enough food and presents for the Christmas time,” said Kevin Clack, president of Kaleidoscope. “We would love for each club sponsoring the event to be able to adopt a family, but our ultimate goal is to help give one big donation.”
The Holly Jolly Holiday Party offers activities that attendees of all ages can enjoy such as cookie and ornament decorating stations, a hot chocolate bar, an obstacle course, a Dear Santa Letter and coloring station, caroling from Newman’s Troubadours and fresh hot soup courtesy of the Asian Student Association (ASA).
Kaleidoscope’s fundraising event would not be possible without the help of other campus clubs: ASA, Student Government Association, Black Student Union, Multicultural Leadership Organization, Latinx American Leadership Organization and International Student Association.
“This event gives families hope,” says Joseph Shepard, the multicultural engagement director. “For many of us, we don’t realize how blessed we are until we interact with families who are wondering where their next meal will come from, let alone how they’ll be able to provide a good holiday experience for their family.
“This event reignites hope in the hearts and minds of those who are ready to throw in the towel, possibly maybe even give up. Kaleidoscope’s efforts show these families who are less fortunate that not only does someone care, it gives them a moment to take their mind off the stress in their personal life for an opportunity to see their children and family happy.”
