Each year UREC sponsors a program called Warm A Winter Wish. The concept is similar to an “Angel Tree.” UREC receives wish lists of individuals and families from First Step, Mercy House and Crossroads to Brain Injury Recovery. Their wishes are hung on a tree in UREC for faculty, staff, and students to fulfill. This program was featured on JMU's Be The Change Blog in 2010 - see the article!

Participants often ask the Welcome Center what the tree and tags are for. After hearing about Warm a Winter Wish, one person asked if students really brought the gifts to UREC.  It has been proven for the past 16 years that JMU students demonstrate incredible generosity and kindness each year by donating their time and many of the gifts. Seeing the gym lined with wrapped gifts is a moving demonstration of the difference we can make when we all do a small part. Imagine the possibilities!

Our goals include:

• Extending the UREC mission to community with an emphasis on creating healthy life styles;
• Recognizing that gifts purchased connect to a community need and;
• Connecting community organizations to students, faculty and staff and vice versa.

There are involvement opportunities for individuals, organizations and departments. Please contact Erin Erford (erfordem@jmu.edu, 540-568-8714) for more information.

» Take a Wish from the UREC Holiday Tree
You simply need to come to UREC, remove a wish from the tree, purchase the gift and return it unwrapped to UREC with the wish tag on the present (this way we know what family and individual the gift goes to). The Warm a Winter Wish Tree will be stocked with wishes November 11, 2011 in the UREC Lobby. Gifts are due December 14 at Noon.

» Attend the Annual UREC Wrapping Party
Come to UREC and help wrap gifts with UREC student and professional employees! The annual wrapping party will take place Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 1pm in the UREC MAC Gym.

» Donate Wrapping Supplies
It takes a lot of wrapping paper and tape to wrap over 1000 gifts!

» Perform at the Wrapping Party
Encourage our volunteer wrappers as they work through performing if you are an acapella or dance group.

» Donate in Other Ways
Delivering gifts, promoting the event, preparing gift tags, other ways you can think of.

Warm a Winter Wish 2011

Thank you to everyone who donated, including UREC Alumni and the following JMU departments and organizations:

Warm a Winter Wish 2010

Warm a Winter Wish 2009

In 2009, we were able to donate over 600 gifts to families in need in the Harrisonburg community. Thank you to everyone who donated, including UREC Alumni and the following JMU departments and organizations:

• Contemporary Gospel Singers
• Libraries & Educational Technologies
• Office of the Registrar
• Office of the President
• Office of Residence Life
• Power Plant
• Student Occupational Therapy Association

Also, a special thanks to Low Key, the UREC Group Fitness Demo team for their performances this year!

Warm a Winter Wish 2009 Photos

Warm a Winter Wish 2008 

In 2008, Warm a Winter Wish provided gifts to 223 individuals (102 families)! The UREC and JMU communities were able to fulfill many wishes, including 6 bikes, coats, clothes, a crib, a high chair, and many other items.  The needs this year were much more basic than in past years.  About 120 students along with JMU staff from various departments wrapped gifts in record time - 45 minutes! 

Warm a Winter Wish 2008 Photos

Warm a Winter Wish 2007 Photos

Warm a Winter Wish 2003 Photos