Marian University joined the Salvation Army Angel Tree program for the first time this Christmas season, and the campus community responded with extraordinary generosity by donating over 300 literacy-focused gifts for local children and families.
From the outset, Marian sought to ensure our participation was mission driven. With the state celebrating its largest leap in third grade reading proficiency since the IREAD-3 assessment began and with schools supported by Marian seeing twice the growth of others continuing to advance literacy became the heart of the university’s Angel Tree focus.
To inspire meaningful giving, professors from the Klipsch Educators College created a video for the campus community recommending age-appropriate books, literacy games, puzzles, and other educational tools that could make the greatest impact on early reading development.
“Marian University’s partnership with WTHR and the Salvation Army was a perfect fit for our mission and our goals to elevate our brand visibility in ways that truly matter,” said Maggie Kucik, executive director of marketing. “Seeing our community respond with such generosity is a genuine reflection of the spirit to serve those in need and to live our Franciscan values through service and care.”
Donation boxes were placed across campus, and opportunities to contribute were woven into football games, a Speakers Bureau event, leadership meetings, Marian’s annual Thanksgiving Dinner, and a Scholastic Bookfair hosted in the Unity Center.
Marian’s collaboration with WTHR and the Salvation Army highlights what it means to put faith into action. By focusing on literacy-focused gifts, the university not only brightened Christmas for local families but also invested in the long-term success of Indiana’s children.
Visit the Salvation Army website to learn more about supporting children and families in need.