Community residents are once again invited to join Eastern Illinois University's students and staff during the coming week for "Giving From the Heart" - two festive gatherings scheduled to take place in the foyer of Old Main.
Guests are welcome to attend either of the two events, the first of which is scheduled to take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, and the second from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 11. Holiday music, food and drink will be offered.
Parking is available in any university lot (excluding handicapped spaces) after 5 p.m. Tuesday. Guests attending Thursday's "Giving From the Heart" gathering may park in any student/staff lot during the event.
"Giving From the Heart" will showcase five holiday trees which feature decorations made by students from Ashmore, Carl Sandburg, Jefferson, Lerna and Mark Twain elementary schools.
The largest of the trees also features many of the more than 150 pairs of mittens and gloves (children and adult sizes) which members of the EIU community have donated over the past month. After Dec. 17, these mittens/gloves will be donated to HOPE of East Central Illinois (includes Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Coles County Homeless Shelter).
Visitors are welcome to bring additional pairs of mittens and/or gloves, which also will be donated to HOPE.
EIU and President Lou Hencken invite all to stop by and enjoy the holiday celebrations at "the Castle."
Booth House
Eastern Illinois University
600 Lincoln Ave.
Charleston, IL 61920
217-581-7400
jdreinhart@eiu.edu