Season of Giving: Two stories of goodwill from the campus community

Two long-running December traditions at SUNY New Paltz had best-ever years through the generosity of spirit demonstrated by faculty and staff across the SUNY New Paltz community. 

The Employee Assistance Program’s annual Winter Coat Drive and the Educational Opportunity Program’s Agri-Business Child Development holiday gift program each saw record donations in 2024.  

The holiday toy drive brings joy to area youth each year via the Agri-Business Child Development agency, a local organization based in Hyde Park, New York, committed to supporting farm worker families across the state through comprehensive educational, health, and social services. 

This year, 40 kids in the New Paltz area will get special gifts through generous funding and donations of toys and clothing items. 

“Your generosity and kindness have made a meaningful difference, helping bring joy and hope to so many,” said Educational Opportunity Program Associate Director Ivelisse P. Tuttle. “Together, we’ve shown the power of community and the impact we can create when we come together for a common cause. Thank you for making this program a success and for embodying the spirit of giving.” 

The Coat Drive accumulated 130 winter clothing donations, which will be dispersed via the Mid-Hudson Migrant Education Program, a community organization housed at SUNY New Paltz that provides educational services to migrant-eligible farm workers and their children across the regional area. Items will go to the First Congregational Church in Poughkeepsie, New York for its monthly Sharing Day, where the church opens its doors to temporarily unhoused people for free access to basic necessities.  

“The entire EAP committee thanks the campus community for their generosity,” said Employee Assistance Program Committee Chair Annelise Kniffin-Savchak.  

For more information on the Employee Assistance Program and Educational Opportunity Program, click here and here.