Each year The Community Outreach partners with a local social service agency to provide gifts to children and families in need.  In the past, gifts have been donated to Headstart Preschools, United Neighborhood Centers, Friends of the Poor, Catholic Social Services, Lackawanna County Children and Youth and Catholic Social Services.

Staff and Faculty members, students, residence hall floors, clubs and University departments are given the opportunity to purchase toys and clothing for a child in need.   Names, sizes, and toy wishes are provided by the agency, with the participant spending about $100. Those wishing to participate can email ellen.judge@scranton.edu for a child's name, age, clothing sizes and toy wish.

How do I "Adopt an Angel" and when are the gifts due?

The Giving Tree, set in the lobby of the 2nd floor of the DeNaples Center, gives individuals the opportunity to choose an age appropriate gift for a child in need.  The cost is about $20. 

More than 350 University of Scranton students, faculty and staff donated more than 700 individual holiday gifts, including clothing and toys, to those in need, in addition to  “adopting” 88 children, through the “adopt an angel” program in which sponsors provide multiple gifts for a child. 

Preparing the donated gifts for distribution by the Honesdale Head Start, United Neighborhood Centers, Friends of the Poor and area group foster homes, are, from left, University of Scranton students Pete Delong of Downingtown, Kerry Delaney of Aston, Mike Wiencek of Fleetwood, and Michelle Dougherty of Exton.