Students Play St. Nick with Sub-for-Santa

PROVO, Utah – Nov 28, 2012 – Santa Claus is coming to town and he has some help spreading Christmas cheer from the elves at the Marriott School of Management. Through the annual Sub-for-Santa project, sponsored by the United Way, students and faculty have the opportunity to provide Christmas gifts for needy children.  

“I can’t think of a better way to spend my holiday season than by helping those in need,” says Lauren Arnold, a senior studying recreation management from Apex, N. C. who leads the project. “I can’t wait to see what the Marriott School is able to contribute this year.”

This year marks the 17th year the Marriott School has partnered with United Way to make Christmas dreams come true. Last year’s drive provided 625 Christmas gifts for 125 children.

 “It is so great to work with an organization so devoted to helping others,” says Jenn Kilstrom, director of the United Way’s Sub-for-Santa program. “The way the Marriott School reaches out and gets students involved is fantastic. The school is preparing students for life-long service.”

A booth on the first floor of the Tanner Building is manned by volunteers urging students to participate by either donating cash or a new, unwrapped gift item. Each sponsored child receives five gifts: two toys, two items of clothing and one book.

“This year we hope to help even more children than last year,” Arnold says. “If everyone gives a little, we’ll be able to give a lot.”

Sub-for-Santa gifts will be accepted Nov. 26 through Dec. 6. For more information or to make a donation, visit marriottstudent.net/subforsanta.

The Marriott School is located at Brigham Young University, the largest privately owned, church-sponsored university in the United States. The school has nationally recognized programs in accounting, business management, public management, information systems and entrepreneurship. The school’s mission is to prepare men and women of faith, character and professional ability for positions of leadership throughout the world. Approximately 3,000 students are enrolled in the Marriott School’s graduate and undergraduate programs.