Western University of Health Sciences Hosts Santa's Workshop for Local Youth

Students from Western University of Health Sciences will swap their lab

coats for pointed shoes, stalking caps and reindeer bells to entertain

nearly 100 children from the Inland Valley’s underserved communities

during Santa’s Workshop on December 9.

In its 12th year, the student-sponsored holiday celebration will be done

in conjunction with the Los Angeles

County Department of Children and Family Services in the university’s

student commons from 3-6 p.m. Children attending will take part in crafts,

caroling, Christmas tree decorating, a traditional holiday dinner and a

performance from the Chaffey High School Chamber Choir. University

students will enact a holiday-theme skit that concludes with the arrival

of Santa and Mrs. Claus who will bring gifts for each child.

“”For many of the children attending, this party will be the highlight of

their Christmas season,”” said Gisele Tackoor-Wilcox, director of student

services for the College of

Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP). “”The students put a great

deal of effort into this event because they know how meaningful it is for

the children.””

Students from three of the university’s five colleges have are organizing

and will volunteer at the celebration. They are the College of Pharmacy, the College of Allied Health

Professions and COMP. The student coordinators for the event are

second-year medical students Kira Molas and Diana Munoz — both residents

of Claremont.

The university places a strong emphasis on humanitarianism in its

curricula . In that tradition, a majority of the university’s 35-plus

clubs and organizations sponsor and support Santa’s Workshop to continue

their devotion to community service.