By Ivan Saul Cutler, Carolina Peacemaker /
December 8, 2023
The sounds of the season — festive songs of cheer and reverence with the rustling of gift wrapping — contributed to the joy of Winter Wishes, the annual North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University’s fulfillment of wish lists for children in foster care.
University faculty, staff, and students met in the Alumni Foundation Event Center “to make holiday dreams come true once again for 200 local children,” Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr. said, following a performance by the A&T Gospel Choir.
In the yearly tradition, employees and students chose wish lists of clothes, toys, video games, musical instruments, and more to fulfill for each of the participating children. The employees and students then gathered at the celebration and gave those gifts to representatives from Guilford County Health and Human Services, who will distribute the items to the children.
All told, the N.C. A&T community annually fulfills the wishes of nearly half the children in Guilford County foster care.
Holding Winter Wishes gifts for area children in foster care, (L-R) Shalane Griffin, Student Government Association President Jasmin Amaniampong and Shameca Battle. Photo by Ivan Saul Cutler/Carolina Peacemaker.
Holding Winter Wishes gifts for area children in foster care, (L-R) Shalane Griffin, Student Government Association President Jasmin Amaniampong and Shameca Battle. Photo by Ivan Saul Cutler/Carolina Peacemaker.
A&T Foundation leader Larry Smith delivers an armload of wrapped gifts for Winter Wishes distribution. Photo by Ivan Saul Cutler/Carolina Peacemaker.
A&T Foundation leader Larry Smith delivers an armload of wrapped gifts for Winter Wishes distribution. Photo by Ivan Saul Cutler/Carolina Peacemaker.
Joining several members of the A&T Gospel Choir, Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr., fourth from left, and N.C. Senator Gladys Robinson, fourth from right. Photo by Ivan Saul Cutler/Carolina Peacemaker.
Joining several members of the A&T Gospel Choir, Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr., fourth from left, and N.C. Senator Gladys Robinson, fourth from right. Photo by Ivan Saul Cutler/Carolina Peacemaker.
A&T Residence Hall Assn. President Jazlynn Smith inspects a bicycle for Winter Wishes distribution. Photo by Ivan Saul Cutler/Carolina Peacemaker.
A&T Residence Hall Assn. President Jazlynn Smith inspects a bicycle for Winter Wishes distribution. Photo by Ivan Saul Cutler/Carolina Peacemaker.
Since 1967, the Carolina Peacemaker has served as North Carolina’s leading news weekly with a national reputation. Founded by Dr. John Kilimanjaro, the newspaper is published by Carolina Newspaper, Inc.
