Surprise Gift Collection Ongoing At West Chester University

WEST CHESTER, PA — During its five-week winter break when most students leave campus, West Chester University will continue its tradition of helping Promise Program students who do not have homes by providing, at no cost, rooms in the residence halls, meals, and the friendship of university staff.

Thanks to a university-wide holiday drive, 43 students in the university’s Promise Program, a program for students in need who remain on campus, will receive holiday gifts.

The drive is organized by Bill Zwaan, head football coach, with the help of staff in the division of student affairs and deputy director of Financial Aid Tori Nuccio.

The gifts can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today through Dec. 12 at Coach Zwaan’s office on campus, 850 South New St., West Chester, PA.

For the past few years, Coach Zwaan and his siblings have foregone their own gift-giving to be Santa to the promise program students.

“If you would like to help, think like a college student,” said Zwaan. “Our Promise Program students need gift cards from Wawa, 7-11, Dunkin’, Acme, Giant, Wegmans, Target, CVS, Rite Aid, Amazon, WCU Campus Store, Walmart, and local restaurants.

They can also use the following:

• WCU sweatshirts and hoodies, hats and gloves, scarves, slippers, headphones, Bluetooth speakers
• Storage totes/ bins or shower caddies
• Photo frames/journals/day planners
• Laundry baskets and hampers
• White or cork boards
• Thermal water bottles
• Bath toiletry sets

"Thank you so much for helping our students,” Zwaan said.

The university has been providing service to students on campus who are determined housing insecure since 2014.

The university expanded services to foster youth and formalized its efforts into a campus support program known as the Promise Program thanks to organizer Tori Nuccio.