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By John Gurbisz Assistant Copy Editor With an economy in turmoil and the holiday season rapidly approaching, it is far too easy to get caught up in buying a present for every aunt, uncle, friend, cousin and dog. Instead of crunching finances to spend money on people who will love you regardless of gifts you shower them in, why not think about those who are much less fortunate come Christmas morning? Starting in 1996, Robins’ Nest Inc., a private, nonprofit agency based in Glassboro “dedicated to the safety, support and empowerment of children and families,” has run an annual holiday toy donation drive for their clients called Santa’s Workshop. Last year, Robins’ Nest was able to give presents to the parents of over 660 of the neediest children in South Jersey.
This year, Rowan University has gotten directly involved through the work of some student organizations and on-campus offices, as well as the efforts of Carol Czekalski, chair of Santa’s Workshop, and an employee at the Bursar ’s Office. Czekalski, who previously worked with another child services organization called Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, said that her involvement was the very least she could do to help a great cause. “Working with CASA and now Robins’ Nest, I have heard some gut-wrenching stories about these children,” Czekalski said. “Just to be able to do this for them is such a joy and is really, really worth it. You feel like Santa Claus.” The deadline for donations for the 2008 event is Dec. 12, with the actual workshop to be held from Dec. 15-17. Donations to Santa’s Workshop should be unwrapped,
newly packaged items that any child ranging in age from toddler to teenager would love to receive during the holiday season. They can include anything from board games, clothing and action figures to drawing pads, scooters and DVDs. Santa’s Workshop is run by the development department at Robins’ Nest, where clients of the agency can sign up, free of charge, to receive presents ranging in price value. These gifts are brought primarily by community members, and are organized by volunteers by the gender and age of the child. The presents of greater monetary value, namely three children’s bikes, are auctioned off randomly in order to ensure fairness. Kim Wallace, Robins’ Nest’s Director of Development, noted that clients who may be too proud to use the program are assured that since no children actually attend “Santa’s Workshop,” they will not be able to tell where the gifts come from. Santa’s Workshop is for the parents/legal guardians of these children to come and use, even if they may feel embarrassed,” Wallace explained. “Upon entering, they will receive a card that has their families’ last name as well as the age and gender of the children on it; from there, they can shop around the tables set up [orThe Angela R. Estes Center for Children & Families is home to Santa’s Workshop, part of the Robins’ Nest. (Above) Kim Wallace is the director of development for Robins’ Nest and helps to organize and collect the toys for the children. (Left) The Santa’s Workshop will take place in the room pictured here.
Photo by Alexandra Harcharek
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ng for a better holiday ganized by age, gender] and find something they like. “Ideally, we would like to be able to give two or more gifts per child, but that number can’t be finalized until we have a full count on the donations. Also, we also try to empower the parents by giving them wrapping paper so that they can wrap each present personally, so they feel like part of the process.” Outreach to Robins’ Nest has been nothing sort of extraordinary, especially considering the difficult economic times the United States is facing. At home base on Delsea Drive in Glassboro, stacks of toys and games litter the lobby area and are piled in offices; a neatly-organized, industrial-sized storage bin full of donations sits in the parking lot. They are expecting a influx of sign-ups and donations to come pouring in during the last few days, as some other drop-off points will begin to hand over what they’ve accumulated. In addition to a “revolving door of donations” at Robins’ Nest’s headquarters, Czekalski said that Rowan University’s response was much more positive than she’d ever imagined. After spreading the word throughout campus via e-mails and flyers, she has been emptying her drop-off bin almost every day. Still, Czekalski quickly mentioned that none of it could have happened if the bursar, Phil Tartaglione, had not allowed her to put up the collection basket. “I don’t know if he realizes how big a part he played in how successful we were,” Czekalski admitted. “I
don’t think that he realized that one ‘yes’ would have led to all this.” Volunteer Karen Damon came to Robins’ Nest a year and a half ago; this is her second Santa’s Workshop. She mentioned that she was overcome with emotion last year during the program, particularly by the sight of a shaken grandmother who had adopted her six grandchildren, but had very little to give them come the holiday season. “I remember seeing her, and she had tears in her eyes, looking like she was about to fall over,” Damon recollected. “When I approached her, she told me that all her grandson wanted for Christmas was a dinosaur, and then she held up this big dinosaur that she found [at Santa’s Workshop]. She was just so happy that she could give her grandson that dinosaur; it was overwhelming.” Stacey Mulligan, who works at
Rowan University’s International Center, noted that the donating was a gift in itself, and that since times are so hard, the community should be even more receptive to programs like Santa’s Workshop. “I had my daughter pick out the present, but I made sure she realized why it was important that we were doing this,” Mulligan said. “If you have more than you need, than you should be able to give more than enough.” Still, with over 450 children signed up so far this year, Robins’ Nest remains hopeful that the program will continue to get bigger, so that more even more children can benefit. Regardless of your financial capacity, there is still time to donate and be part of this true exhibition of unfiltered generosity. For more information about Robins’ Nest, their many projects and programs, and Santa’s Workshop, visit www.robinsnestinc.org.
R o b i n s ’ N e s t is asking local patrons to think of those less fortunate during the holidays by offering gifts for children ranging in age from newborn to teenager. These gifts can range from anything to dolls, stuffed animals and gift cards to development toys and skateboards. The organization is asking for new, unwrapped donations to be dropped off at any of the following locations: Savitz Hall, Bursar’s Office, Rowan University 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, New Jersey Robins’ Nest Inc. 42 Delsea Drive S, Glassboro, NJ Holman Ford Lincoln Mercury, 3641 Route 42, Turnersville, NJ Holman Infiniti, Route 38, Maple Shade, NJ DeSimone BMW, 1200 Route 73 South, Mount Laurel, NJ Jersey Pride Cheer Gym, 7 Enterprise Court, Sewell, NJ
Photo by Alexandra Harcharek
Blue Tulip, Promenade at Sagemore, 500 Route 73 S., Marlton, NJ Sweet & Sassy Salon, Spa & Celebrations, 957 Haddonfield Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ Sports & More, 1855 Hurffville Road, Sewell, NJ For questions or concerns, contact the Santa’s Workshop Chair Carol Czekalski via e-mail, santaworkshop@yahoo.com or through telephone, 856-881-8689. More information, including the children’s wish lists, can be found on the Special Events page Robins’ Nest’s website.
Photo courtesy The Angela R. Restes Center
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CAMPUS BUZZ PRSSA discount card
PRSSA is selling Discount Cards which give special savings at select locations in the college area. The options range from your favorite food choices to your favorite local stores. For more information on the vendors, please visit www.rowanprssa.org/ discountcard.
Soul Steps
At 10 p.m. on Saturday at RAH, a group of Soul Steppers based out of NYC will be performing in the Pit. They will bring the language of rhythm to Rowan.
Stressed during finals? Call 856256-HELP
The HELP Hotline is a student run organization that provides trained responses to varying emotional issues and safe, anonymous outlets for any students. They run from 9 p.m to midnight every night.
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Le Petit Cochon Alexandra Harcharek Columnist
Lisa, across the universe By Lisa Lorenz Foreign Correspondent
A bittersweet holiday New Jersey winter is upon us. Not a white winter. Not like the ones described in all the Christmas songs playing incessantly on the radio. No, east-coast winPhoto by Alexandra Harcharek ters are less spectacular – more gray and chilly than The Meyer lemon tart seems like a very complicated recipe but it is very simple and is worth it. The end is a heavenly dazzling and snowy. Luckily, nature has a sense of humor. Tucked inside taste of lemon and chocolate. these winter months is a hidden season; a season when citrus fruits reach their pinnacle, with tastes ranging Meyer Lemon Tart with from sweet and sour to tangy and tart. It’s just in time Bittersweet Chocolate too; from November to December, the markets are It may look like a lot of directions, but this is rebursting with ripe citrus fruits; look out for different or ally simple to make so don’t worry! Take it one step exotic varieties of grapefruits, oranges, limes, lemons, at a time and it’ll be worth it. tangerines. It’s also the best time to try fruits like blood oranges, key limes, and kumquats, which are usually Ingredients: hard to find and expensive. For the sweet tart crust: Meyer lemons are smaller, rounder and juicier 1/4 cup heavy cream version of their more common cousins. The flavor is 2 extra-large egg yolks much more rich and sweet, with a darker juice that 2 3/4 cups plus 2 tbsp all-purpose flour lends itself well to entrees, drinks and desserts. It’s 1/4 cup plus 3 tbsp granulated sugar also a fine source of vitamin C, which is essential for 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt the cold season. 1/2 pound unsalted butter Although the chocoholic in me objects fruity 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate desserts, this Meyer Lemon Tart was almost enough to change my mind completely. The lemon curd was sweet For the lemon curd: and tart, while the layer of bittersweet chocolate on the 4 extra-large eggs bottom added just the right amount of sweetness. And 3 extra-large egg yolks how can you say no to something that looks so precious? 1 cup plus 1 tbsp granulated sugar If you choose, top with thinly sliced strawberries 1 cup Meyer lemon juice (from approximately 8-9 and chocolate shavings. Just sit back, take a bite...and Meyer lemons, not the regular ones in the grocery let it bring you out of the winter funk. store. Use a juicer if you can!) 10 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces pinch of kosher salt
Directions: Whisk the cream and egg yolks together in a small bowl. In a mixer, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and butter on medium speed until a coarse meal forms. Gradually add the cream and yolks and mix until just combined. Do not overwork the dough. Transfer the dough to a large work surface and bring it together with your hands to incorporate completely. Divide the dough in half, shape into 1-inch-thick discs, and wrap one of them to freeze and use later. Place on a lightly floured work surface and roll it out into a 1-inch-thick circle, flouring as necessary. Drape the dough over a 10-inch tart pan. Gently fit the dough into the pan, pressing the dough into the corners with your fingers. Chill for one hour. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Prick the bottom with a fork and line it with a piece of parchment paper. Fill the lined tart shell with beans or pie weights and bake 15 minutes, until set. Take the tart out of the oven and carefully lift out the paper and beans. Return the tart to the oven and bake another 10 to 15 minutes, until the crust is an even golden brown. Set aside on a rack to cool completely. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler over medium-low heat. Spread the chocolate evenly on the crust and chill in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes, until the chocolate has solidified completely. While the crust is chilling, make the curd. Whisk the eggs, yolks, sugar, and lemon juice together in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously for about 10 minutes, until the lemon curd has thickened to the consistency of pastry cream and coats the back of a spatula. Remove the lemon curd from the heat. Add the butter a little at a time, stirring to incorporate completely. Season with salt. Let the curd cool about eight minutes, and then strain it into the prepared tart shell. Chill the tart in the refrigerator for about an hour, until it sets.
A last goodbye
Lisa Lorenz is a senior journalism major at Rowan currently studying abroad in London.This is her last article in the Features section of The Whit before she boards a plane back to America. I left for London almost three months ago and soon I will be heading back to the states for Christmas. I am thrilled to be getting back to life as I know it; the anticipation makes the last few days seem to go very slowly, but the weeks somehow managed to end in a flash. When I leave, it will not be long before I am going to wish I was right back here, where I’ve had the time of my life. In the short time I have been away, I have experienced some things most people could not even dream of. I’ve seen the lights of Piccadilly Circus as the sun sets and the moon rises above the London sky. I’ve visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa, eaten pizza at a real Italian restaurant. I’ve traveled the Irish country side, and seen the islands off the coast of Dublin. I’ve felt the sand between my toes on the beaches of Spain and walked the unconventional streets of the Red Light District of Amsterdam, coffee shops and all. Some of what I have done will be told in stories for the rest of my life, whereas others will remain in my memory, so that only I can look back and laugh. The world can be a confusing place when you are away from home and each day is something new. Missing people from home and the familiarity of being surrounded by all the things you cherish is normal and it’s easily to find yourself lost in a whirlwind of strange customs and practices. The good news is getting lost is the only way you can find yourself. My advice to you is this: travel. If you can afford it, (even if you can’t afford it), explore the world to the best of your ability before one day you look back and realize it may be too late. The United States is a fantastic place, and I have never fully appreciated it until now. We have football, butterfingers, 24-hour service and Philly cheese steaks. But, the world is full of things you still have yet to explore, things I’ll let you discover for yourself. “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will be as one.”