Senior Janae Werdlow decorating a card for elementary students.

HIGH POINT, N.C., Dec. 5, 2013 – Introduction to Psychology students are making an extra effort to give back to the community this holiday season. The class donated toys and hand-written cards to 19 homeless students at Parkview Elementary School.

“In class we discuss why people don’t always notice opportunities to provide assistance,” explained Dr. Sadie Leder Elder, assistant professor of psychology. “When teaching about helping behaviors I ask my students to take notice of a community need and then select an activity that they can participate in that will benefit others. This semester students chose to provide Christmas gifts to local school children. This activity is a small way for us to make a big difference.”

“This will put big smiles on their faces,” says Michelle Bodie-Anderson, Communities in Schools coordinator for Parkview Elementary. “Otherwise, they may not get anything for Christmas this year. They will be excited and will immediately start playing with these toys.”