USC kicked off the Christmas season on Thursday night with its 62nd annual tree lighting. The ceremony, held at the top of the historic Horseshoe, celebrated the annual Carolina Cares Holiday Donation Drive. The drive was hosted by Carolina Cares, a program of the Carolina Service Council. Carolina Cares partnered with the Salvation Army to collect gifts for underprivileged local children and holiday cards for deployed military men and women.
SummerBrook Lawson, a fourth-year Chinese and political science major and director of Carolina Cares, spoke on the experience of coordinating the drive.
“The most rewarding thing about it is the end of the drive, when you step back and realize how much has been provided.”
The donation drive sent over 1,800 holiday cards to service men and women and is aiming to provide gifts to 500 local children by the end of the drive on Dec. 8.
Many students came out for the lighting, which was followed by a reception at the President’s House. Emily Hett, a first-year nursing student, said that she was glad to see a large and diverse crowd at the event.
“It’s not just students; it's nice that the community comes together.”
Student Body President Michael Parks gave a brief speech at the lighting, showing great pride at the accomplishments of Carolina Cares.
“The Carolina Service Council’s Holiday Donation Drive is truly a physical embodiment of our Carolina spirit.”
University President Harris Pastides also spoke at the lighting, expressing gratitude for the work done by the Carolina Service Council and wishing students luck on the upcoming week of final exams.
The donation drive will continue accepting donations through Dec. 8. They can be dropped off at the Leadership and Service Center.