WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Dec. 18, 2017 — West Liberty University employees and students displayed and nurtured a Wish Tree as the school gathered gifts for those in need.

“We had 76 tags on the tree and all were taken by faculty, staff, administration, and students. We are happy to help spread Christmas joy in this way and make a few wishes come true,” said Rhonda Tysk, admissions counselor who has worked at West Liberty for nearly 30 years.

From left, Rhonda Tysk and Stephanie North stand amid the gifts collected by the Wish Tree.

The tree is displayed in the Enrollment Management Center on the first floor of historic Shaw Hall. WLU sponsored three different organizations:  the Children’s Home of Wheeling, St. Johns Home for Children, and Crittenton Services in Wheeling, all known for their work with children and families.

“Additionally, this year the employees of our Human Resource Office went together to sponsor a complete family for the holidays. The information about the family was shared with us from Crittenton Services and it was a meaningful way for WLU to share the holiday spirit,” she said.

The family included four boys, ages 2, 7, 12 and 17, and the four HR employees purchased an outfit for each child, along with several requested gifts.

Each tag on the tree included the name of a child or young adult and their Christmas wish. Employees and students who chose to participate then selected a gift tag, purchased a new item valued at $25 – $30 and placed the gift tag on their gift before returning it to the Enrollment Services Center.

Tysk has coordinated the Wish Tree for 27 years and this year she was assisted by Stephanie North, also an admissions representative.

They estimate that the dollar amount of the donation is approximately $2,300.

“All of the organizations that we sponsor are so grateful to the employees and students of West Liberty University for their generosity and we are grateful for this meaningful chance to spread the real magic of Christmas,” she added. The gifts were delivered to each organization at the end of last week. 

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