Santa's Helpers

Giving is better than receiving. And this Christmas, several needy families will get everything they wished for thanks to several giving souls at Carnegie Mellon.

For the third consecutive year, a small group of campus police officers, security and parking personnel will play the role of Santa’s helpers to make Christmas a little brighter for three disadvantaged families associated with Northern Home Care Services, a government-funded social services agency in Sharpsburg.

Using proceeds from vending machines at the campus police station, the group recently went on a shopping spree to purchase $500 worth of gifts per family, plus a $100 Giant Eagle gift certificate. The gifts are ordinary items the families need, such as socks and pajamas. There are no XBox, Playstation or Wii video-gaming systems in the mix.  

“The idea is to help people in need. It puts the holiday season into perspective and gives us the true meaning of Christmas,” said Security Officer Keith Pudlowski.

Security Officer Paul Stellitano agrees. “We’re a community-oriented police department, and this gives us a great feeling to reach out into the community every year,” he said.

A few days before Christmas, the group will take the Carnegie Mellon shuttle bus to deliver the gifts.  Last year on the return trip to campus, “there wasn’t a dry eye on the bus,” Stellitano said. “Giving is truly better than receiving.”

In addition to Pudlowski and Stellitano, the Carnegie Mellon “elves” include Marge Pudlowski, Cele Herbig, Heather Ausburn, Sue Prevuznik, Jeff Varchetto, William and Mary Klawinski, Jackie Merranko and Jim Heverly.

Bruce Gerson