AGGIE Students Lend a Helping Paw

North Carolina A&T State University students are in the spirit of giving even before the holiday season began.

Several organizations on campus have set up food drives, clothing drives, and other ways to give back to their communities.

"As college students, we need to give back to our communities because giving is how we received all of the blessings that we possess today," says sophomore electrical engineering major Derrick Jefferies.

Jefferies is also Mr. ALD, for Alpha Lambda Delta, the freshmen honor's society at A&T. As Mr. ALD, he is in charge of finding volunteer opportunities for the organization. This fall, he chose to guide Alpha Lambda Delta in collecting toys for FOX 8's Gifts for Kids Campaign.

Jefferies felt that this was an effective way in making someone else's life better. At the same time, it encourages giving amongst college students because it provides an incentive of community service hours needed for graduation.

Christian Robinson, sophomore class president, also agreed with Jefferies. "No one gives back enough. We are privileged college students and should give back more. I think AGGIES do give back, but there's always room for improvement."

Robinson tried to uphold Aggie's reputation of being a giving community by holding a canned-food drive. The 750 cans collected by the sophomore class, earlier this October, proved the drive to be a great success.

The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) held a welfare liaison project this past month where they assisted in packaging and sorting toiletries for the less fortunate. Treasurer of the organization, James Lindsey, says, "As an organization, we felt that it is important and a right for every human being to have the products needed for everyday life."

NSBE had over 40 members of the organization and the A&T family come and support this cause.

In addition to these three organizations, the Metro Aggies held a clothing drive, A&T Bookstore held a food drive, the Student Union Advisory Board held a clothing drive, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated held a clothing drive, and the Social Work/Sociology Society held a canned-food drive as well. A&T AGGIES have been on a roll this November!

This season A&T AGGIES have been committed to reaching back and helping the community.