To prepare for the holiday season, the Center for Service Leadership is selling Christmas ornaments from an organization called Ornaments for Orphans. The organization’s mission is to help children in need through their Christmas traditions.

Kelley Hardie, assistant dean of Student Services, said Waynesburg decided to host the sales this year because of its success last year.

“A Waynesburg admissions counselor met the owner at an admissions fair and he thought it would be a good opportunity for Waynesburg to participate in,” said Hardie. “I reached out to the organization last year, which was the first year we hosted it. It went very well so we decided to host it again this year.”

Students and faculty can find the Ornaments for Orphans campaign in the Bonner office on the first floor of Stover. The office is decorated with a Christmas tree and table showcasing the ornaments that can be bought. According to Hardie, the first floor of Stover is the best place to sell the ornaments because it is a high traffic area for students.

“We’d love to have it somewhere out in public, but the ornaments are for sale, so we really have to keep them safe and secure,” said Hardie. “That’s why we host it through our office, because it is locked at night.”

Students can go to the Bonner office to buy a variety of ornaments, ranging from key chains and necklaces to nativity sets and special paper bead creations. The cost of these ornaments varies, ranging from $5 to $30.

“Each of the ornaments is handmade by a craftsman in a third world country and has a tag on it indicating what country it is from,” said Hardie. “All the money paid for certain items goes back to those who created them from third world countries.”

Adrienne Tharp, coordinator of the Bonner Scholar Program, said the ornaments make great Christmas presents and go to a great cause.

“Some of my family and friends have adopted [kids] from other countries,” said Tharp. “I bought these for them, because it held a better meaning to the kids.”

Tharp also likes the beaded ornaments made out of paper. To her, this makes them very unique compared to the other ornaments.

“People that bought these go crazy for them,” said Tharp. “They are not ornaments you would find just anywhere.”

Out of the variety of ornaments, sophomore Hannah Pierce bought the paper bead necklace. Pierce said she bought it not only for Christmas, but for a decoration all year round.

“I have gone on mission trips so I love supporting third world countries,” said Pierce. “Since they have a special place in my heart, I like to help them out.”

Hardie appreciates Organization for Orphans as an organization because of how the money goes back to those who crafted them, giving them a trade to support their families.

“I also think it creates a global awareness around campus for the students, when they purchase these ornaments,” said Hardie.