Students at Augustana University are collecting donations for area teens and families in a project that also gives them hands-on professional experience.

Students involved in the group Serving and Learning Together are overseeing Teen Town, a Salvation Army program that provides gifts to teens  from low-income families. Teen Town allows parents to choose a gift for their teenagers; the Salvation Army also collects gifts for smaller children.

“The Teen Town co-chairs learn so many things that are transferable to life outside of college,” said Michelle Harvey, associate director of campus life. “A project of this size requires setting and meeting deadlines, fundraising, budgeting and collaborating with other students and agencies outside of Augustana — all of which are things employers are looking for in college graduates.”

Students working with Teen Town also see first-hand some of the needs in the Sioux Falls area, she said.

“This knowledge is often what propels students into continuing a life of service throughout their time at Augustana and beyond.”

Last year, Teen Town provided Christmas gifts to more than 500 teens.

There are two ways to help:

• Bring an unwrapped gift in the $20 to $25 range to the Campus Safety desk inside Morrison Commons by Dec. 15.
• Make a monetary donation to Teen Town. The cost to sponsor one teen is $25. Sponsoring multiple teens is encouraged. Submit your monetary donation online.

Christmas Giving Trees

The same Augustana student group also organizes Giving Trees on campus. This is the 28th year for the donation drive.

Ornaments on the Giving Trees list gift or supply ideas in the range of $5 to $10 for children and adults. Gifts and supplies will be donated to Children’s Home Society, Children’s Inn and Heartland House. Items can be left at Giving Trees inside the academic buildings, residence halls and the Chapel of Reconciliation by Dec. 8.