Thomas F. Chapman Leadership Scholars lead community service effort through Christmas 4 Kids
December 2, 2025
The Thomas F. Chapman Leadership Scholars are continuing a long-standing tradition of serving the local community by hosting Christmas 4 Kids on Friday, Dec. 5 from 3-5 p.m. at Fike Recreation Center. The annual service project pairs hundreds of student volunteers with elementary school children from local Title I schools to provide a day of fun, festivities and gifts in the spirit of the holiday season.
“Half of the elementary schools in Pickens County qualify as Title I, so (giving back) it’s such an important need in our area,” says Alyssa Neff, a first-year graduate student and third-year member of the Chapman Scholars cohort.
Christmas 4 Kids is a signature event of the program, where a total of 42 scholars focus on the heart by leading a two-hour community service project for underprivileged children who may not otherwise experience the joy of the holiday season. The event began in 2013 and is still going strong, thanks to established partnerships through the University and local community, and because of the generosity of Clemson’s student volunteers.
“It’s the most fulfilling moment ever,” says Neff, who serves as a graduate assistant in the Office of the President after graduating with a marketing degree this past May. “Having Clemson students involved in this event is special. We end up turning people away because we get so much volunteer interest.”
Prior to the event, children provide a Christmas wish-list — ranging from basic necessities such as pencils and winter coats to exciting items like remote-control cars. Once they are paired on the day of Christmas 4 Kids, they open one gift at Fike and take the remaining gifts home to open.
The event also includes arts and crafts, sled pulls and special guest appearances from Santa Claus, Clemson spirit groups, and even members of the Tiger football team.
“A big part of being a Clemson student is service,” Neff says. “I always think about the Ring Ceremony and the famous phrase, ‘How will you serve?’ Christmas 4 Kids is part of that, especially because there’s such a great need in the local community.”
Although volunteer sign-ups have closed, anyone interested in donating non-perishable food items and gifts to the Christmas 4 Kids event is encouraged to drop items off on the third floor of the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business in the Department of Marketing offices. Additionally, donations are accepted for the Chapman Leadership Scholars Program through the University’s Advancement office.
