The Women’s College of Brenau University’s GOLD Program recently initiated two community-based service projects, including a food drive and pen pal project.
The food drive for the Salvation Army collected 10 bins full of canned goods, along with $300 in cash donations. Most of the collected food goes to the local bilingual pantry. Greek Life and the athletics department partnered with The Women’s College for the effort.
The GOLDen Grams pen pal project workshop resulted in over 150 postcards designed and written by students. Debra Dobkins, dean of The Women’s College, said the cards will be delivered to The Phoenix at Lake Lanier, a senior living center, where they will be used as therapeutic aids for residents in the memory care unit. For example, she said, Phoenix will throw parties focused on the cards to help seniors recall their days of writing vacation and holiday cards. The Women’s College intends on expanding the pen pal program as other senior facilities are eager to partner.
“The therapeutic uses our partners at Phoenix have imagined for our first batch of postcards is inspiring and humbling,” Dobkins said. “I’d thought we might be sending cheery notes that could be pinned on a bulletin board, but instead they have envisioned many ways in which the cards can be used. It is really exciting that we can bring this sunshine into their lives and serve practical purposes to help improve their functionality.”
Annabelle Lee, a junior finance major in The Women’s College, said she had a lot of fun making the postcards.
“I was so impressed with the easy set up, fun options and clear COVID procedures,” she said. “I felt very safe while making them. I’m not a very crafty person, but sitting at a round table with some of my friends and enjoying the time seeing other people on campus made it a blast. I loved drawing and writing letters. It was very relaxing before finals week.”
