CU students care for Castleton
The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t put a damper on Professor Dave Blow’s Media Ethics class’ annual plan to help the community this holiday season.
For the past six years, Blow has encouraged his students to get involved in helping local families in need and help them make an impact that can last a lifetime.
The Media Ethics students in the past have sought underprivileged families to raise funds and shop for Christmas necessities and toys and in recent years have ended the project with a Christmas party. Due to social distancing guidelines, this was no longer an option this year, but it didn’t stop the class from finding a way to a make a difference.
This semester’s class has teamed up with the local organization, Castleton Cares Inc.
Castleton Cares Inc. was founded in March 2010 and describes its mission as “a shared vision of enhancing and centralizing assistance to those individuals and becoming ‘A Hand of Hope in Our Neighbors’ Need.’” The organization aims to help anyone fallen on financial hardships and promote more assistance in the area.
This is the first-year students have partnered with this non-profit group, but it was specifically chosen due to the connection with the university’s international students and proximity to the university.
During the month of November, the students have been fundraising through a website called “Give Butter” to reach their goal of at least $1,000. On Monday, the class checked in on the effort and discovered they had surpassed their goal, now having raised over $1,200 for Castleton Cares Inc.
Despite the limitations of the pandemic, students Marty Kelly III, Sophia Buckley-Clement, Jacob McCarthy, and if travel conditions allow Jana DeCamilla and Blow, will be handing out Thanksgiving boxes alongside Castleton Care’s members on Saturday Nov. 21 at 9:30 a.m. at the organization’s headquarter in the federated Church at 504 Main St.
All semester Blow has encouraged his students to get fired up about making an impact in the lives of others and stressed how rewarding the experience has been in the past.
“I’d like to be there to help with you guys because I think it’s important and it makes me feel good too,” Blow said.
If you would like to contribute to the students’ fundraising efforts visit: https://givebutter.com/aZXA3M/join?code=9105d3e2-ff25-4fff-b27e-e2c0e98deb45
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