Students in the Valparaiso University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions’ (CoNHP) Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) embraced the holiday spirit this year, participating in the Salvation Army of Porter County’s new Adopt-A-Family program. Taking on the needs of two families, the group gathered, wrapped and delivered $1,100 worth of holiday gifts for children and parents.
“This experience allowed us to connect with the community and live out the values of Valpo’s occupational therapy program of community service and engagement,” Ally Thaxton ’27, SOTA vice president.
The Adopt-A-Family program helps address the needs of low-income families in times of need, such as during the holiday season. Recipients of program benefits are those who cannot afford new toys, warm clothes or other seasonal items, and range from single-parent households on limited income, to large families where one or both parents are facing emergency situations.
For OTD students, these families are the exact kinds of people they’re going into the profession to help.
“Occupational therapy at its core is to holistically help people regain their independence during their most vulnerable periods in life,” said Erica Habas ’27, president of SOTA at Valparaiso University. “People within our community that are currently experiencing challenges deserve to have an amazing Christmas and to have one less thing on their plate. It’s our mission to provide that one less thing in any form that we can provide it.”
SOTA members raised money through donations from across OTD cohorts, as well as CoNHP faculty, and gathered items based on wants and needs lists provided by the parents.
For more on how you can donate or get help from the Salvation Army of Porter County, visit their website here.
The OTD program has recently received seven-year accreditation, ensuring that graduates will be able to continue making a difference in their community. For more information on how students in the OTD program at Valparaiso University are making a positive difference in the community, see the stories on the CarFit event and GoBabyGo program.
