MEDIA ADVISORY
Dec. 2, 2005

CONTACT: Daniel P. Finney, (515) 271-2833, daniel.finney@drake.edu

DRAKE STUDENT SENATE HOSTS SANTA FOR NEEDY IOWA FAMILIES

Needy children from the Des Moines area will meet with Santa Claus, play games and enjoy holiday treats while Drake University Student Senate members secretly give armloads of presents to the children’s families, part of the Christmas Wish Tree Party from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 4, at Olmsted Center, 2875 University Ave.

Drake Student Senate adopted more than 30 area families identified by Circles of Support, a charitable organization that works with Des Moines schools, as needing help this holiday season. Drake students, faculty and staff bought presents – including toys, electronics, educational materials, clothing and food – for the families.

The families will visit Drake for a holiday party while Student Senate Members discretely sneak the presents out to parents’ cars for a Christmas Day arrival.

“These folks are the neediest of the needy,” said Dolph Pulliam, Drake director of community outreach and development. “Our Drake family has stepped up and made sure these children and families will have a merry Christmas.”

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