“It is going to be a unique Christmas this year, but it will still be as special and lovely as any other year, with blessings from friends, family, Trinity community, and God."
Jericho Cui, BA International Studies, 2022
This winter break, due to pandemic-related travel restrictions, many students are barred from returning home. As a result, over 75 dorm residents are stuck on campus for the holidays. Homesick students could use a bit of encouragement.
Janice Nikkel, Director of the Parent & Family Network at TWU, specializes in community care, and with a team of volunteers, runs a gifting service for students called “Touch of Home.”
This year, Nikkel faced a challenge. “How could we show some extra care for over 75 students who aren't able to go home for Christmas?” she wondered.
Serendipitously, across the neighbourhood in Fort Langley, the team at Fraser Point Church had similar intentions.
Eilesha Raimondi, a leader from Fraser Point, said that her church wanted to reach out to the community, but were not sure how best to do so in this particular season. “We were looking for ways to spread hope and joy in a very uncertain and tough season in our community,” Raimondi said. Through a church member who is on staff at TWU, Raimondi met Nikkel, and the idea was born.
Despite COVID, this holiday season, Raimondi and her ministry team are not missing a beat when it comes to serving others.
“We reached out to TWU to see if there was a way we could come alongside students this season and let them know they are seen and loved. We decided to create boxes for the students that met the needs Nikkel had put forward, as it is tough to be away from family over the holidays and to be on campus in the midst of so much unknown.”
Together, Fraser Point Church and TWU packaged 75 gift boxes for students who couldn’t return home for Christmas. The boxes contained a $25 gift card for groceries, Fraser Valley Gourmet Toffee, photo props, the Christmas story, and other thoughtful mementos. As well, every single student received a hand-written card that was addressed especially to them.
And there were more happy surprises.
Becky Husbands, wife to TWU President Mark Husbands, brought a tray full of freshly baked cookies, individually wrapped with wax paper and ready for contactless pick-up. Folks from Living Waters Church in Fort Langley also contributed some bags of Christmas baking.
Jericho Cui picked up his gift box on Wednesday. Cui is a third year International Studies major who has been unable to travel home since last year.
“It was a blessing to me,” he said, upon receiving his gift, “and I am sure that other students who are staying on campus for this very special Christmas would think the same.”
“It is going to be a unique Christmas this year, but it will still be as special and lovely as any other year, with blessings from friends, family, Trinity community, and God,” he said.
Raimondi said, “The reason why we did this is because we want students to know that we are FOR them, but more importantly that God is FOR them!”
“It is a privilege to be able to serve and come alongside students in our community to spread some hope and love this season,” she said.
Nikkel expressed delight to see the local community lean in to show care for the students. “Our students are a valued part of our community. We know it has not been an easy year, and to be away from their families this Christmas is especially hard. These gifts were just a small way to show we care and they aren’t alone,” she said.
"I love seeing community in action," she added. "It’s part of what makes Trinity Western so special!"
Read this story in the Langley Advance Times.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to establish meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. It is a fully accredited research institution offering liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has five campuses and locations: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, Ottawa, and Bellingham, WA. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vital faith community committed to forming leaders to have a transformational impact on culture. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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