In the spirit of the holidays, the graduate-student organization Preservation Eastern is raising money to buy essential items and gifts for two Ypsilanti families.
Preservation Eastern has about 50 members and is associated with the Historic Preservation Graduate Program at Eastern Michigan University. The program was formed in 1979 by Marshall McLennan, and it is one of the largest and oldest graduate programs in historic preservation in the nation.
The group “adopted” the families because of the economic downturn the country is facing, said Sarah Hayes, director of the organization.
“I keep hearing on the news, in the paper and downtown about how people keep losing their jobs,” Hayes said. “How times are hard and how people are just trying to make ends meet. I’m not wealthy by any means, but I’m fortunate that I have the opportunity to be going to school and have a job.
“I, or anybody for that matter, could be jobless and wondering how to pay their bills tomorrow. I would hope that someone would help me out.”
With the support of group advisers Dr. Ted Ligibel and professor Dan Bonenberger, and the group’s board members, they decided to develop the project.
The organization found the families through the SOS Community Services in Ypsilanti. SOS keeps the identity of the families private in order to not embarrass those in need.
“The families are given a number and then we drop off the gifts by a certain date,” Hayes said. “Then SOS delivers the items to the families. We have two families total. ”
The first family consists of a 47-year-old woman and her 17-year-old son. The second family consists of a 30-year-old woman and her two children — an 8–year-old boy and an 11-year-old girl.
The group has been raising money to go toward gifts for the families.
“Every dollar raised, a person was able to write their name on a brick that is now on display in Strong Hall on the first floor by the vending machines,” Hayes said. “The money that has been raised is to supplement additional gifts that are donated.”
Hayes said families tell SOS what they are in need of most and also what they want.
“Items such as clothes, common household items and gift certificates to cover utility bills are our top priorities,” she said. “We have put together a shopping list for students to take with them so they know what they can donate.”
In four days of two-hour blocks of reserving a table in the Student Center, the group has raised more than $350 to supplement gifts that will be donated.
However, the group could use more help Hayes said.
“The economy isn’t wonderful, everyone knows that,” she said. “This is when the community should stick together the most. This is when your neighbors need you. Sure we’re college students and we don’t have a lot of money either, but donating just a few dollars can go a long way and it really won’t affect you very much.
“I encourage everyone to do something for someone else this holiday season. That’s what the holidays are about.”
Students, faculty and anyone willing to give or donate can get involved.
The organization has a Facebook event entitled “P.E. Adopt-A-Family Drive” that details gift guidelines, deadlines and drop off sites. The event also has a limited shopping list and the clothes size of each individual.
A detailed shopping list can be found in a folder on Ligibel’s office door, room 235 in Strong Hall. The list can also be found on the organization’s blog, preservationeastern.blogspot.com.
