Many Ball State University residence halls are doing their part to help the community with different service projects and donations over the holidays.
Professor of Psychological Science David Perkins said he helped organize a donation drive in Woodworth Complex to collect items for A Better Way an organization that helps victims, mainly women and children, of domestic violence who have lost their permanent housing.
"The women and children are in transition and have to start over," he said. "It helps them to give simple necessities so they do not have to worry about shampoo or having sheets on the bed."
Perkins said the drive was something to help others over the holidays, but it also was a lesson on how people could feel good about themselves by doing services for other people.
Perkins said something was mentioned in class about how everyone wanted to feel good about themselves and they usually fulfilled the need to be happy by having a party or buying something lavish, but the feeling does not last long.
Doing something for others is a way to feel good about yourself which lasts longer, Perkins said.
"We need to get off the cycle of indulging ourselves and change our attitudes by helping others," Perkins said.
He said the drive was a way to put this method into practice.
Perkins said it was the time of year where people were usually happy and in the giving mood. But for some it is a difficult time of year where they do not have the supplies they need, he said.
A Better Way sent a list of needed items for Woodworth students to donate such as shampoo, blankets, socks and bedding, he said.
"People ask what is in it for me, but what you get is to feel good about yourself," Perkins said.
The drive is part of the Freshmen Connections program that is trying to have activities outside of the classroom, he said.
"This is the perfect time for freshmen to experience this feeling and feel this way," Perkins said.
Junior Natalie Parker said Woodworth encouraged residents to participate through e-mails, signs and in Hall Council meetings.
They also encouraged roommates to buy a sheet set or related item to contribute, she said.
"I think it's good because they have to live at the shelter so anything we give can help," Parker said.
Parker said Woodworth also had the children from A Better Way over to trick-or-treat in the residence hall.
"We have seen these people before trick-or-treating," Parker said. "We know we are giving to people, not just an organization."
Other halls are collecting canned goods for organizations.
Jennifer Eakins, Hall Council president of Brayton/Clevenger, said the residence hall was collecting canned goods to stock up for "Can You Build It?"
"Can You Build It" is a campus-wide charity in which participating halls build a structure out of canned goods and all the cans go to a food drive or shelter, she said.
The drive lasts from Nov. 5 through Friday, Eakins said.
Eakins said only canned goods would be used for "Can You Build It," but students could give other nonperishable items because they would all be donated.
"Basically it's just for the good of the cause," Eakins said.
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