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Help an Elf Holiday Gift Program

The Help an Elf Holiday Gift Program provides assistance for currently enrolled, full-time APSU students with holiday shopping by providing gifts for their children. Recipients of the holiday gifts will be children of income eligible APSU students who are currently enrolled in 12 or more credit hours, and who are not participating in any off-campus holiday gift programs. The program celebrates its 30th year in 2024 and is coordinated by Student Affairs Programs.

ADOPTERS

Adopters have made this program possible for nearly three decades and have included APSU departments, faculty, staff, alumni, athletic teams and student organizations, and donations from local businesses. Eligible families are assigned to adopters based on the number of children requested and adopters purchase gifts for each child based on gift suggestions provided by the parent. Thank you to all our adopters for supporting the program and making the holidays brighter for APSU students and their families!

If you are interested in adopting a child or children, or donating to this program, please contact call 931-221-6570 or email Dr. Tammy Bryant.

 
APPLICANTS FOR THE PROGRAM 

Our goal is to provide assistance to as many families as possible, but please note that priority will be given to first time participants. The number of families assisted by this program is contingent on the number of individuals, groups, or departments available and able to adopt families. If there are not enough campus groups, individuals or departments available to adopt all families, applicants will be notified. Information will remain confidential. One application may be submitted per student family even if both parents are APSU students.

Submitting an application serves as authorization for the Student Affairs to verify financial aid information through University records and to obtain program participation information from local agencies who sponsor similar programs.

The deadline for online or paper applications is Oct. 29, 2024, in person at MUC 208 by 4 p.m. or online by 11:30 p.m. Early submission is encouraged.

The application will be available here on Oct. 1, 2024.

 

Other resources and support services at APSU and in the community.

If you have any questions regarding the program, please call 931-221-7341 or email the office

 

Help an Elf gift wrapping
HISTORY OF THE PROGRAM

Throughout the past 29 years, the Help an Elf program has provided holiday gifts to nearly 1,300 children of APSU students through the unwavering support of the APSU campus community. Student Affairs staff coordinate the confidential adoption of income-eligible student families by APSU organizations, departments and groups, as well as individual faculty and staff. Many campus partners have made it a tradition to adopt an elf family and coordinate shopping, wrapping and delivery of gifts to the office just in time for the holiday. The program originated with the APSU student service organization, ProjectServe, and their advisor, Barbara Phillips, former assistant vice president for Student Affairs and Dean of Students. 

The program greatly appreciates monetary donations as well as donations of new clothing, shoes, books, toys and games. These additional resources help us ensure each child enjoys the gift-giving season.

The Help An Elf Program is joyously coordinated by Student Affairs Programs and the Office of Student Affairs, MUC 208.