SUU Holiday Assistance Program: Bringing Cheer to Families in Need

Southern Utah University’s (SUU) Community Engagement Center is gearing up for its annual Holiday Assistance Program, an initiative that has been bringing holiday joy to local families in need for over 15 years. The program is a hallmark of the Community Engagement Center’s commitment to serving the wider community, offering SUU students and local residents a chance to engage in meaningful service. “The main thrust is to provide Christmas for children who would not otherwise have that,” said Pam Branin. Branin is the Director of SUU’s Community Engagement Center and was on the radio with us recently.

Each year, the Holiday Assistance Program sets up Angel Trees around the community. These trees are decorated with tags listing suggested gift ideas for children of all ages. The program encourages families in need to apply for assistance via the SUU website by November 25 to ensure early gift distribution. The application remains open until December 6, though early applicants receive priority. Local residents are encouraged to help make the program a success by picking up an Angel Tree tag, donating online, or volunteering their time. “This program relies 100% on donations and volunteers,” Branin emphasized, noting that community support is essential to meeting local needs.

In 2023, the program served over 1,500 children from approximately 500 families, with demand expected to rise this year. The Holiday Assistance Program works in collaboration with organizations like Toys for Tots, Shop with a Cop, and the National Guard Armory to ensure a coordinated effort. Toys for Tots provides a large share of the gifts, while the National Guard Armory in Cedar City provides a spacious venue for gift distribution. "We have complementary resources," Branin explained, highlighting the benefits of these partnerships, “and we also have a great volunteer pool of both students and community members.”

Families who receive assistance are invited to the Armory for distribution, where they can personally select gifts for their children with guidance from volunteer “shopping assistants.” This approach, Branin noted, “really lets parents be involved in the process,” ensuring they can choose gifts that are meaningful and appropriate for their children. Each child receives three gifts, two stocking stuffers, and a family gift such as a board game or cooking kit to foster holiday bonding.

This season, Branin emphasized the program’s particular need for donations for teenagers, as well as gifts suited for young boys. Donations can be made through Toys for Tots boxes, or dropped off at designated locations like State Bank branches and the Cedar City and Enoch city offices. With a combination of dedicated volunteers, community donations, and local partnerships, SUU’s Holiday Assistance Program continues to bring seasonal cheer and support to families throughout Cedar City, making the holidays brighter for all involved.

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You can find out more by visiting the webpage for the Holiday Assistance Program at SUU, and you can hear our entire visit with Pam Branin in the podcast below.