With the Isabel Patterson Child Development Center’s “Goodies for Kiddies” supply drive winding down, some said they are disappointed with the amount of donations collected thus far.
The drive, which started at the beginning of the semester, will continue accepting donations through Dec. 18. Ariane Nguyen, chair of the Board of Trustees for the IPCDC, said the drive has been well publicized, but there isn’t much to show for it.
“Unfortunately, we’ve done tons and tons of advertising, but it’s hard for people to take that extra step [to donate],” Nguyen said.
More than 10 donation boxes decorated by children who use the IPCDC have been placed in buildings throughout campus, including the Hall of Science, Faculty Office 2 and University Student Union, Room 311.
Supplies such as disposable rubber gloves, tissues, baby wipes, sunscreen and copy paper are all needed, as well as other supplies like crayons and markers, Nguyen said.
“We’re asking for just basic items that the center uses everyday for children,” Nguyen said.
Nguyen said that decreases in funding resulting from budget cuts have affected the IPCDC’s ability to purchase the necessary supplies. The donations from the supply drive, she said, help relieve funds to be used for other projects.
“As a result of [the funding decrease], we’ve kind of had to cut corners,” Nguyen said.
For the 2013-14 fiscal year, the IPCDC projects that it will spend $314,620 more than it will generate in revenue, according to center’s operating budget. The center is looking for student fees to fill the gap.
Nguyen also said that the potential $16 ASI fee increase would generate new revenue that would help IPCDC cover its costs and fund renovations.
Though Nguyen said the outcome is less than expected at this point, she hopes that as the end date approaches, more students, faculty and other campus members will donate supplies.
“It’s pretty easy,” Nguyen said. “It’ll go a long way to help the children.”
ASI Chief of Staff Joseph Phillips, who is also a member of the IPCDC Board of Trustees, said that the drive is an important way for the children to get what they need.
“We started the supply drive last year so that the kids would have the stuff that they need and to kind of alleviate some of the [IPCDC] funds to go into to places where it needs it,” Phillips said.
Phillips said that donated supplies go back to the children of campus community members.
“[Donations are] given back to the kids of the student parents around the school and the staff, and the community,” Phillips said. “If the kids don’t have the stuff, they don’t have it.”