Spreading Holiday Cheer
Professor Tom Rutkowski has upheld a long-standing tradition of giving back to the local community around the holidays since his first year of teaching at Castleton in 1998. When the winter months are in full swing and the streets are frequently covered with a fresh coat of white snow, the Business department faculty member purchases and donates wreaths to be hung throughout the town.
Known as Wreath Day the annual tradition stemmed from a desire to become a more active and positive community partner in the eyes of residents and has grown to include volunteers from Rutkowski’s classes and First Year Seminar student groups.
Each year Rutkowski purchases the wreaths from Spates, a greenhouse in Newport, VT, with his personal funds and then volunteers his time, along with his students, placing the wreaths at various locations throughout Castleton and spreading pine scented holiday cheer to all who admire them.
“We brought wreaths around to some people on campus in the morning and a few of us got on ladders and tacked wreaths to telephone poles around noon on Friday,” said Rutkowski, adding that additional wreaths were placed at the local elementary and village schools. “I am pleased to give back to Castleton.”
At the end of the day a total of 36 wreaths were donated and hung by over a dozen Castleton students. To thank volunteers for their good deed, once the wreaths are distributed, local business owner John Rehlen treated the students to free pizza and drinks.
“I truly hope that the townspeople appreciate this act. I hope that they can look at these wreaths and see that not only were they donated, but that university students hung them,” said SOS Leader LeeAnn Senecal, who participated in the project. “I think it’s great to get the good out there, especially during the holiday season.”