'Tis the Season to Celebrate and Give

Students have the opportunity to show their holiday spirit by participating in one of GW's many charitable initiatives this season...

Adopt-A-Family: An annual tradition at GW is to provide families in need with gifts of clothing, household necessities, and toys. Families are identified by the Community Partners, including Academy of Hope, CentroNia and the Transitional Housing Corporation. Sign up online by December 3rd. In addition, you can help the Office of Community Service pick-up and drop-off gifts on Monday, December 6th or Tuesday, December 7th.

Clothing Drive: From now until December 15th, GW is collecting clothing to distribute to families and local charities such as Bread for the City, Miriam's Kitchen, Central Mission, and Nation's Capital Young Marines. You can drop off your gently used clothing at the Academic Center, Rice Hall, Monroe Hall, the Marvin Center, Duques, Ivory Tower, Thurston or Amsterdam Hall.

Toys-for-Tots: GW's Naval Reserve officers are currently holding their annual Toys-for-Tots drive. Midshipmen are collecting donations at the GWU/Foggy Bottom Metro Station until December 3rd.

Blood Drive: On December 9th, there will be an American Red Cross blood drive in the Marvin Center's Continental Ballroom from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more ideas and charitable initiatives, contact the Office of Community Service at ocs@gwu.edu.

A Guide to Spending Thanksgiving in the District

Spending Thanksgiving in Washington? Here are some events going on in the city that you don't want to miss...

MOUNT VERNON BY CANDLELIGHT

Tour the candle-lit home of George Washington and learn about his holiday traditions. Interact with 18th century costume actors, including Mrs. Washington who will hand out her holiday cooking recipes. Sample fresh homemade chocolate prepared over the open fire during the Christmas caroling and the hot apple cider with fresh baked cookies given when you leave. Tours are Friday to Sunday from 5:00-8:30, tickets are $20.

NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART EXHIBITION

Sixty rare color prints and hand-colored variations by the renowned Edvard Munch are on special display at the National Gallery of Art in an exhibit titled "Master Prints." Admission is free.

JOFFREY BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER

A Kennedy Center tradition, this annual performance conceived and directed by Robert Joffrey is set to Tchaikozsky's famous score. Tickets are $29-$150.

MLK Day of Service 2010 aids DC, volunteer hours

Today's holiday provided GW students with a day free from classes. With their free time, many students chose to participate in service events across the District. The Office of Community Service provided sign-ups for events as close as New Hampshire Avenue and as far as Falls Church, Virginia. On New Hampshire Avenue, students and other DC residents served food at Martha's Kitchen, a soup kitchen attached to the Western Presbyterian Church. In Falls Church, the Ronald McDonald House Charities sponsored a home makeover and more food service opportunities.

The Office of Community Service had 500 spots available for volunteers, and 488 were filled according the OCS website. GW is well on its way to reaching the 100,000 hour volunteering goal set by First Lady Michelle Obama, who has promised to speak at the 2010 Commencement ceremonies if the students reach that mark.

Above: Volunteers from MLK Day of Service 2009, via a link from the OCS website

Don't Panic! We'll be back soon.

WRGW thanks everyone for a great semester and your continued support. From the Democratic National Convention in Denver to on-campus election coverage, our "Factions" College Republicans / College Democrats debate, Secretaries of State at Lisner Auditorium, the Student Association, Greek Life, Law and Order, Sports, Music, Movies, and more we were there and you listened.

We resume coverage in January and will bring you more news than ever from a student perspective. Until then, Happy Holidays from WRGW!