Pomona, CA – For the 10th year in a row, dozens of Pomona Valley children

will enjoy a festive holiday celebration, courtesy of students at Western

University of Health Sciences (WesternU).

More than 100 children – a record number – from Los Angeles County’s

Children’s Services Department, are scheduled to celebrate the season with

WesternU students from 4:30-8:00 p.m., on Friday, December 17, in the

University’s Student Commons. After enjoying arts and crafts, decorating

a Christmas tree, singing Christmas carols and sitting down to a

traditional holiday meal, each child will receive gifts from Santa and

Mrs. Claus.

Santa’s Workshop is sponsored by WesternU’s student clubs, with support

from faculty, administration and local businesses and organizations which

join together to fund the event. Catering, for example, is being done by

Impressions Gourmet Catering of Ontario. The event traditionally takes

place following final exams on the last day of class before the

University’s winter break.

“”Holding Santa’s Workshop and volunteering at the event is a great way for

us to be reminded about why we’re becoming health care professionals,””

said John Dunlap, Jr., a second-year osteopathic medical student and chief

organizer of the party. “”Christmas is about caring for those in need, and

that’s what a health care career is all about, too – being there for

people who need care.””

Students from three of WesternU’s five colleges will volunteer at the

party. They are: COMP; the College of Allied Health Professions (physical

therapy and physician assistant students); and the College of Pharmacy.

WesternU places a strong emphasis throughout its curricula on instilling

humanistic values in its students. A large percentage of the University’s

35-plus student clubs and organizations are, like Santa’s Workshop,

dedicated to community service.

“”I’m continually impressed – but not surprised – by the quality of time

and energy that our students give to serving their neighbors,”” said

WesternU President Philip Pumerantz, PhD. “”Skilled hands and compassionate

hearts will continue to be the signature of all of our graduates —

exactly what is needed in health care today.””