CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — The UPEI Student Union is doing its part to help brighten students’ Christmas.
Understanding that many students must stay on the Island during the holidays this year due to COVID-19, the student union created a wishing tree as one of the highlights of its Christmas activities.
Students can drop their wishes in a box under the tree in the union’s office or submit an online form to the “elves”, said Jose Alejandro Gonzalez, the student union’s vice-president of student life.
The tree has received almost 200 wishes this year, nearly four times the wishes of previous years.
“I assume there are two main reasons for the increase of students’ wishes,” Gonzalez said. “The first one is because this year, we have an online form that students could access to make their wishes, so it was much accessible.
“The second reason is due to COVID-19, many students are facing financial struggles, so it could be challenging for some to get stuff they need or want for Christmas.”
The union limits the prices of gifts to between $20 and $60 to ensure they can help as many students as possible. The money to buy gifts comes from the budget to host Beach Blast, an annual on-campus beach volleyball tournament and wet/dry party in the winter semester, Gonzalez said.
“Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we’re not going to have Beach Blast next semester, so we reallocated some of that money to make students’ holidays a bit brighter this year,” he said.
Besides wishes varying from ugly sweaters and books to stuffed animals and chocolate, some students requested the team make donations to charity organizations or social societies in Charlottetown, Gonzalez said.
“Those wishes honestly warmed our hearts,” he said.
For wishes that are weren’t affordable, the team offered students gift cards instead.
“For example, if you asked for something that’s worth $100, we would give you a gift card to the store that’s worth $50, so you’re halfway there and you just have to put the other half from your own budget,” Gonzalez said.
Donna Sutton, UPEI’s associate vice-president of students and registrar, hopes students living both on and off-campus are aware of activities and supports that are available during the holidays.
“We are so pleased that the UPEI Student Union is hosting several activities. The entire UPEI community is coming together to ensure students feel supported during this challenging time,” Sutton said.
“We are so pleased that the UPEI Student Union is hosting several activities. The entire UPEI community is coming together to ensure students feel supported during this challenging time."
- Donna Sutton
The student union also hosted a Christmas dinner Nov. 27 for almost 100 students. The union divided students into two groups of 50 to follow the COVID-19 guidelines and keep a safe distance between everybody at dinner, Gonzalez said.
Anagha Muralidharan, a third-year biology student at the dinner, can’t go home to Mumbai this Christmas and is grateful for the efforts the union has made to offer students a merry holiday.
“The dinner was so well-organized ... They followed all the COVID-19 regulations, so I felt safe being there,” Muralidharan said. “It was a really happy time when everyone could get together safely. I know a lot of people who aren’t able to go home this holiday and it just felt like a community of students who are there for each other.”
Although the current situation may be stressful for students, Sutton suggests students to stay connected and reach out for support, if needed. UPEI Student affairs will be operating a command centre throughout the break to support students.
“It’s also important to check in with family and friends and support each other virtually,” she said.