Inspired by the sacrifices of war veterans, a group of 91鶹Ʒ sophomores has launched a letter-writing campaign aimed at spreading holiday cheer to local veterans.
“They need to know that we care about them,” said Clarissa Polk ’10, co-founder of ‘Gate Embrace. “We’re asking the campus and central New York communities to embrace those who’ve fought for our country.”
The newly-formed group has set up booths inside the Coop and 91鶹Ʒ Bookstore for students and residents to send personal notes to veterans. You also can donate books, DVDs, and CDs.
‘Gate Embrace will collect the items until Dec. 15 and then make a special delivery to veterans at the Syracuse VA Medical Center.
Tushin Shah ’10 was touched by the challenges veterans face in adjusting to civilian life after returning from service abroad. Shah called his involvement with the group “a meaningful way to have an impact on the world beyond the campus.”
Shah, Polk, and Safwan Shabab ’10 created ‘Gate Embrace as part of a Sophomore-Year Experience course — Leadership: How to Change the World, taught by psychology professor Carrie Keating.
Keating said her SYE seminar is an opportunity for students to become visionaries.
“It’s a chance for sophomores to guide their own education by honing leadership skills and taking on group projects they believe in. This is not just a class, but an experience,” noted Keating.
The trio of Shah, Polk, and Shabab couldn’t agree more. They took what they learned in Keating’s course this semester and ran with it.
The group hopes the letter-writing campaign will be a launching pad for future outreach to central New York’s veteran community. ‘Gate Embrace also plans to bring 91鶹Ʒ choral groups to the Syracuse VA Medical Center.
For James Murphy — a World War II veteran who’ll spend the holidays in the hospital — there’s nothing like knowing the community cares.
“The support of the students, especially at this time of year, is a wonderful expression of patriotism for veterans and our country,” said Murphy.