The holiday season is officially under way and organizations all over Baker’s campus are getting in the spirit by sponsoring a variety of charities.

Carolyn Doolittle, assistant professor of education, is the faculty adviser of BUSEA. She said this year the members of BUSEA decided to help the Olathe Head Start Program by providing books for early school-age children.

Up until Thanksgiving break, $4 book certificates were available in the Scholastic book orders, which would go toward the purchase of reading materials for the classroom. Doolittle said the group raised about $100 in the sale of the certificates.

Doolittle said the program also needs books to send home with the students to encourage reading in their households. BUSEA is still accepting cash donations.<br/>          <br/>"In the past we have done things like Adopt-a-Family, and we enjoyed that, but this just seems like the best fit for us," Doolittle said. "In the past we have done things like Adopt-a-Family, and we enjoyed that, but this just seems like the best fit for us," Doolittle said.
    
“In the past we have done things like Adopt-a-Family, and we enjoyed that, but this just seems like the best fit for us,” Doolittle said.

Junior Clayton Alexander, BUSEA president, said the charity efforts are part of a yearlong effort to help out the Head Start program.

Alexander said this charity is good for BUSEA to be involved with because as future teachers, the group is all about furthering the education of the younger generations.

“It warms my heart to see a child introduced to the love of reading,” Alexander said. “It is one of those intangibles of teaching.”

Another organization that is doing its part to give back to the community is Omicron Delta Epsilon, which is the newly formed Economics Honor Society. 

Senior Adam Kenne is a member of Omicron Delta Epsilon. He said the group has teamed up with the different academic departments in Mabee Hall and the Pink Lady, 703 N. Eighth St., in the annual Toys-4-Baldwin Drive.

Kenne said the different departments in Mabee Hall hosted the Toy Drive last year. This year, Kenne said they have publicized the event much more heavily through fliers and e-mail.

“Most of the people who go to Baker don’t have to worry about the holidays,” Kenne said. “We go home to our families and know everything is going to be OK.”

Toys for all ages can be dropped off in Mabee, rooms 310 and 302, or at the Pink Lady in downtown Baldwin City. The toys must be new.

The donations will be taken to the Baldwin City Police Department Wednesday, where they will be distributed to needy families. 

Kenne said the group really wanted to keep the charity local because it is important to give back to the community during the holidays.

“We all remember the excitement of waking up Christmas morning to a new toy,” Kenne said. “The harsh reality is that a number of families in the area do not have the ability to provide that to their (children).”