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Pharmacy students find joy giving time, service by Cindy Abole Public Relations Pharmacy students are finding time in their busy schedules to help those less fortunate in the community through holiday projects with the Salvation Army. The College of Pharmacy’s Class of 2005 came to the Salvation Army’s rescue by helping out with its stuffing stockings program. Pharmacy student Nicole Nelson recalled the joy she and her family felt while giving to others and wanted to transfer that experience to fellow students. She contacted the Salvation Army and soon was encouraging others in the class to participate. Last month she visited Salvation Army headquarters and collected 70 stockings. Students were asked to fill their stockings with small gifts, toys and items for needy Lowcountry children. Although no age requirements were specified concerning gifts, Nelson encouraged participants to prepare stockings for children, ages infants to teens. Greenville-native Tripp Byrd proudly brought in his stocking filled with Matchbox cars, a yo-yo, candy and other small toys on Dec. 5. He remembered the joy in participating in last year’s stocking program and easily volunteered again. Fellow student Amy Thompson prepared several stockings—one each for a girl, boy and infant. Her stockings were brimming with Hot Wheels and toys, play lip balm and fingernail polish, baby-sized stuffed animals and other trinkets. “Nicole’s planning and organization really helped to make this a fun project,” said Thompson. “We had good overall participation, and the students reacted to it very well. Some had no idea that they would enjoy it as much as they did.” Nelson and other classmates plan to deliver the stockings to the Salvation Army on Dec. 9. Bells will be ringing Members of the College of Pharmacy's Kappa Psi Pharma-ceutical fraternity offered a turn as Salvation Army bell ringers in front of Charleston Place on Dec. 3. This was the second consecutive year Kappa Psi members volunteered their time during the holiday season. Some 21 members took turns each hour greeting downtown Charleston passers-by and ringing the bell on behalf of the service organization.  By days end, the group collected approximately $250 in donations at their site.  According to Kappa Psi chapter president Michael Wald, the group got most of their day’s enjoyment by encouraging others, especially school-age children to donate. They were also happy just greeting people and wishing them a Merry Christmas.  The fraternity plans to continue their holiday participation with the Salvation Army for many years to come. Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.