FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2015, 5:00 p.m. CDT
Contact Jason Hogue, Peru State College Marketing and Communications, 402.872.2429
Peru, Nebraska- Peru State College students, faculty and staff have a long tradition of community
service and charitable giving. Despite the press of finals and the end of the semester,
campus organizations are still working to meet holiday and seasonable needs.
Dr. Dan Hanson, Peru State College President, says, “Throughout the year, our students
work to give back to our communities. However, I am always impressed by our push to
do more at the end of year despite all the other pressures of college life.”
Staff, faculty and student organizations were asked to provide a short synopsis of
their activities over the holiday season and any photos they might have taken as they
served. Thirteen students organizations responded.
Campus Activities Board
Shelley Hartman, Peru State’s Student Activities Coordinator, writes, “The Campus
Activities Board has been working on SENCA’s Little Santas. CAB purchased trees and
student clubs that were interested are decorating them. On December 14th they will be judged based on creativity, most school spirit, and most holiday spirit.
Then the trees will be picked up by SENCA and distributed to families in need.”
Campus Activities Board is a student organization that meets to plan and orchestrate
a majority of activities that are held during the school year. Activities can include
anything from campus service events to concerts.
Southeast Nebraska Community Action Council, Inc. (SENCA) was incorporated for the
purpose of developing and operating any and all community action programs and activities.
SENCA is headquartered in Humboldt, Nebraska.
Rotaract
Chelsea Reznicek, Rotaract President writes, “We started off the season raking yards
in the community before Thanksgiving. As Christmas is approaching we have caroled
around campus to raise money for ‘Save your Melon;’ donated as a club to the Giving
Tree in the library; and provided a tree through CAB and SENCA for a family in need.”
Rotaract is a service club sponsored by Rotary International, open to anyone who has
an interest in both community and international service. Recently, Rotaract raised
$300 for Men’s Health and $120 for Love Your Melon.
Love Your Melon is an apparel brand run by college students across the country on
a mission to give a hat to every child battling cancer in America. They have partnered
with the Pinky Swear Foundation to provide immediate support for children battling
cancer and with CureSearch for Children’s Cancer to fund research initiatives to beat
childhood cancer completely.
Love Your Melon is not an official organization on our campus, however Madelon Livingston
is serving as president for the Love Your Melon Peru State College Campus Crew. She
is currently a freshman and has spread the word and raised money by selling Love Your
Melon beanies.
Brooke Earnest, Peru State Academic Advisor, writes, “This money is then used as ‘points’
for Maddie to receive free items. With the free items she and others on campus are
responsible for finding kids battling cancer and to organize/ attend household visits.”
“Maddie just organized her first household visit on December 4 with a young boy, Cameron
Burroughs, who is battling brain cancer. Maddie and other Peru State Students gave
Cameron and his family Love Your Melon hats, other gifts and ice cream (his choice
for dinner).”
Peru State Psychology Club
Austin Barth, Peru State Psychology Club (PSPC) Vice President, writes, “Our club
will attend the Feeding 44 initiative. It's the campus-sponsored event headed by fellow
classmate, Je'Kerra Hopper, in which volunteers help local needy families get the
necessary foods donated for their use. Our club will help select groceries; carry
them to vehicles; and assist Je'Kerra in setting up and tearing down the necessary
tables and furniture.”
The Peru State Psychology Club works to promote the study of psychology and provide
a sense of educational enrichment and social service to the campus, community and
its club members.
American Red Cross Club
Chelsea Turk, President of the American Red Cross Club, writes, “My organization did
not do a charitable service this Christmas, but did have a Christmas party. We played
UNO, Apples to Apples, and did a white elephant gift exchange. President Hanson and
Elaine Hanson got a meal with the newspaper editor, Ama Bikoko, for their white elephant
gift.”
The purpose of ARCC is to promote the American Red Cross on the Peru State College
campus and to promote the mission of the American Red Cross. The club plans at least
one community service project each semester and assists with the blood drives on our
campus.
Christian Student Fellowship
Kim Haizlip with the Christian Student Fellowship, writes, “For this Christmas season
we gathered shoe boxes for Samaritan’s Purse. We put together seventeen boxes”
The Christian Student Fellowship is a non-denominational campus ministry based in
Nebraska. CSF exists to share the love, truth, and purpose of Jesus Christ with college
students, changing the world one life at a time.
Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing
spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s
Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters,
disease and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love.
Science Club
Dr. Joanna Cielocha, advisor to the Science Club writes, “The students wanted to show
their appreciation for the science faculty and all that they do. We hosted a Science
Faculty Appreciation Chili Lunch to give thanks for how our faculty impacts our students
daily.”
The Peru State Science Club is for students who share a common interest in the sciences.
Science Club promotes science and science activities on and around campus.
Actions in Motion
Dr. Gina Bittner, advisor for campus ministry group Actions in Motion, writes, “AIM
gave back to Nemaha County by donating and decorating a Christmas tree for the recent
auction at Nemaha County Hospital. The tree was loaded with ornaments and children’s
books under the theme, ‘Growing in God’s Love.’ Furthermore, AIM volunteered at the
Table Grace Cafe in Omaha, Nebraska where we served in a ‘pay as you can’ style of
cafe on November 21st to the hungry and homeless population in Omaha.”
Actions in Motion is a student service organization seeking to serve its campus and
community in Christ’s name. The campus organization is a chapter of the Nebraska Lutheran
Campus Ministry organization
Phi Beta Lambda
Dr. Sheri Grotrian-Ryan writes, “Phi Beta Lambda chose to participate in Nemaha County Gives Back where various groups and businesses donated something to the cause. Our club chose
to purchase and a decorate a tree.”
The tree was auctioned off for $200 and other items from PBL brought in an additional
$220. PBL also participated in the SENCA’s Little Santas event and the Giving Tree
for Growing Great Kids.
Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) is a state and national business leadership fraternity. Peru
State College’s chapter, Epsilon Tau, is open to all students interested in business
and/or leadership. Students do not need to be a business major to join our chapter.
Student Athletic Advisory Council
The Student Athletic Advisory Council also donated items to Nemaha County Gives Back.
The purpose of SAAC is to facilitate communication and support between athletic teams.
Members of SAAC must be nominated by their coaches.
Nemaha County Gives Back is a fundraiser hosted by the Nemaha County Hospital. Funds
raised went to SENCA and will be distributed to area families in need.
Black Student Union
Kristi Nies, advisor for the Black Student Union, writes, “The Hispanic Latino Student
Association (HLSA), Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) and Black Student Union (BSU) hosted a toy
drive on campus. The new and gently used toys collected will be distributed to needy
children in Southeast Nebraska. The Bobcat Athletic Department joined the effort by
reducing admission prices by half for those who brought a toy to the Dec. 9 women’s
basketball game. Peru State students and employees who attended the game and donated
a toy received a ticket for a bag of popcorn.”
The purpose of the Peru State College Black Student Union is to foster a sense of
community, stimulate the intellectual, social, cultural, and political growth of all
Peru State College students, and provide support for students and the community. The
black student union is open for membership to all PSC students of all backgrounds.
HLSA
In addition to the toy drive held in conjunction with the Black Student Union and
Phi Beta Lambda, the HLSA hosted a food drive on campus that raised over two hundred
pounds of food for SENCA.The Hispanic Latino Student Association is new to campus
this semester and serves as an educational and cultural learning instrument for all
students, faculty and staff.
Phi Alpha Theta
Phi Alpha Theta decorated a tree for Little Santas in partnership with the Campus
Activities Board and SENCA. Phi Alpha Theta also participated in Feeding 44 on Friday,
December 11.
Phi Alpha Theta is a professional society whose mission is to promote the study of
history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication and the
exchange of learning and ideas among historians. They seek to bring students, teachers
and writers of history together for intellectual and social exchanges, which promote
and assist historical research and publication by our members in a variety of ways.
PILOT
Peggy Groff, advisor for PILOT (Peru Individual Leaders of Today), writes, “The ‘Giving
Tree’ is for Growing Great Kids which is a program within Southeast District Health
Department which serves our area. The tree has tags on it and then students and staff
pick the tag, buy the requested item and return it unwrapped with the tag on it under
the Christmas tree in the Library. Several clubs and groups on campus have worked
together to give generously for this effort. It has been fun to watch the pile of
gifts grow!”
PILOT sponsored another activity where students made fleece blankets for Project Linus.
Several students worked together to make tied fleece blankets that were delivered
to a drop off location in Omaha to be distributed to hospitals participating in the
program.
PILOT also organized an event where students made Thanksgiving cards that were sent
to the Veteran’s Hospital in Omaha. The intent was to thank veterans (patients) for
their service and wish them a Happy Thanksgiving.
The purpose of PILOT is to provide an opportunity for the students at PSC to volunteer
in service learning projects that will benefit others. Targeted groups will include,
but not limited to, agencies that serve those with learning and physical disabilities,
retirement and nursing homes, food banks, nonprofit groups such as Peru Day Care and
Girl Scouts, as well as other organizations such as Project Response, Hearts United
for Animals, etc.
Peru State Theatre Company
Dr. Josh Young, advisor for the Peru State Theatre Company, writes, “This past Saturday,
20 members of Peru Theatre Company met at the Good Samaritan Society Rehabilitation
Center in Auburn to spread holiday cheer. We helped them to play Bingo and then we
led them in a series of holiday carols.”
The group was formerly known as the “Peru Players.” The group is still dedicated to
renewing interest in Theatre Arts throughout campus and community.
Staff
Students are not the only ones to give during the holiday season. Staff and faculty
have been involved in most if not all of the above listed events and activities.
PILOT Club, Peru Theater Company and Professional Staff Senate joined forces to support
SENCA by ringing Salvation Army bells at SunMart and Casey’s in Auburn on Saturday
morning, December 5. 90% of the donations stay in Nemaha County and the other 10%
goes to the Salvation Army. The funds are used to help needy families during the winter
months for things like utilities, rent, etc.
Faculty and staff were able to wear jeans on Friday, December 4 if they brought toys
for boys and girls of any age, stocking stuffers or holiday treats to donate to the
St. Nicholas Program sponsored by Catholic Social Service in Auburn. The St. Nicholas
Program received approximately 75 toys and stocking stuffers for southeast Nebraska
children in need.
Phi Beta Lambda after decorating their tree: Back (left side): Lauren Robertson,
Hannah Chubbuck & Melissa Jasso Front (left side): Emie Hausmann, Rachael Cole Back
(right side): Jenna Gruber, Liam McClarnon, Scott Riley, Lindsay Harlow, Caleb Nelson
Front (right side): Dolores McGargill & Kendra Alberts
Peru State Science Club after their Chili Feed: Front Row: Jay Bryant, Senior; Sarah
Budz, Freshman; Carlee Cortez, Freshman. Back Row: Dr. Joanna Cielocha, Assistant
Professor of Biology; Whitni Redman, Senior; Shane Brichacek, Sophomore; Makenzi Humphrey,
Freshman; Nick Hohensee, Freshman; and Dr. Paul Hinrichs, Professor of Mathematics
Nicole and Chelsea Reznicek with Student Athlete Advisory Council’s (SAAC) Silent
Auction item for Nemaha County Gives Back 
Actions in Motion decorating a tree. From Left to Right - Taylor Pfeifer, Pastor
Ken Miller, Elizabeth Chamberlin, Gabe Hoins, Dr. Gina Bittner, Isaac Bittner, Mackenzie
Faris
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For more information, visit www.peru.edu or call 1-800-742-4412.