Help an Elf Holiday Gift Program

The Help an Elf Holiday Gift Program celebrates its 28th year in 2022! Coordinated by Student Affairs Programs and the Office of Student Affairs, this 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.

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 the Office of Student Affairs at 931-221-7341 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. Only one application may be submitted per student family.

Submitting an application serves as authorization for the Office of 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 for 2023 is Oct. 30, 2023, in person at MUC 206 by 4 p.m. or online by 11 p.m. Early submission is suggested.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM

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. 

HISTORY OF THE PROGRAM

Throughout the past 28 years, the Help an Elf program has provided holiday gifts to over 1,200 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 Dean of Students.