The Forgotten Patient: A Christmas Service Project

Red and green decorations have started filling the BYU Bookstore and remnants of this season’s first big snowfall still scatter campus, reminding us that the Christmas holiday is just around the corner. This year, BYU law students and faculty are invited to partake of the Christmas spirit by participating in Utah State Hospital’s “Forgotten Patient” project.

“It’s an opportunity for us to bring cheer to people who are suffering and lonely at Christmastime, people we might otherwise be unaware of—they would literally be forgotten,” said Dale Swensen, who organized the service project. “It doesn’t take a very large or expensive contribution to make a difference.”  

Making a contribution is simple. You can help by doing any of the following between now and Monday, December 3:

• Pick up a stocking from the Fish Bowl and return it filled with items from the suggested gift list
• Bring items from the list (in any quantity) that can be used to fill stockings
• Donate cash to purchase items to fill stockings

Suggested Gifts:

• Toiletries and personal hygiene items (shampoo, deodorant, lotion, toothbrush, toothpaste, combs, hair brushes, cologne aftershave, sunscreen)
• Cosmetics and jewelry (lipstick, powder, mascara, fingernail polish, earrings)
• Clothing and accessories (gloves, scarves, winter hats, baseball caps, socks, underwear, T-shirts, sunglasses)
• Wrapped or packaged candy, nuts, trail mix, gum, breath mints
• Paperback books, magazines, comic books, crossword puzzles, Sudoku, etc.
• Journals, stationery, postage stamps, calendars
• Card games or small handheld electronic games
• Music CDs
• Small toys, books, games, etc. for small children ages 6-12
• Mugs

Please do NOT include any sharp objects (such as scissors or pins) or anything in aerosol cans or glass containers.

For questions, please contact Dale Swenson at swensend@law.byu.edu.

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Posted:November 15, 2012