December 21, 2012 - UTI Campuses Do Their Part to Celebrate the Season of Giving and Spread Holiday Cheer

UTI-Dallas staff and their families help hand out toys at “Christmas in the Park” in Dallas.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and a time to lend a gracious hand to those neighbors in need. Universal Technical Institute campuses celebrated the holiday season with programs tailored to each of their own communities. From penny wars, volunteered time, and donations benefitting local charity organizations, to raffles and themed baskets that supported UTI’s own students in need, Universal Technical Institute’s holiday cheer was illustrated in many forms.

UTI-Avondale
With volunteer drivers being the single greatest need of the Marines Toys-for-Tots organization, UTI-Avondale provided a UTI truck, and UTI local market manager, Mike Blankenship, volunteered his time to help in picking up toys from seven local toy drop sites. The toys were then transported to the Toys-for-Tots warehouse, where the toys are provided to children and families in need.

UTI-Dallas
On Saturday, Dec. 15, UTI-Dallas staff volunteered their time at Dallas’ largest holiday charity event “Christmas in the Park.” The event provides southern Dallas families in need with hot meals, clothes, household items, bikes and Christmas toys for children. The UTI-Dallas staff helped in handing out toys to the children of approximately 40,000 people who attended the event.

UTI-Exton
The campus hosted its third annual food drive for the Lord’s Pantry of Downingtown, a food bank providing supplemental food assistance to eligible, low-income individuals and families in need. Founded more than 40 years ago, the Lord’s Pantry delivers food through community donations and a network of committed volunteers.

UTI-Glendale Heights
The campus’s student council held “Penny Wars,” where each classroom collected change over a two-week period. In its fifth year, the program raises approximately $800-$1200 annually, and funds are donated to a local community organization. This year, the money will be donated to the Glendale Heights Police Department Christmas Sharing program.

UTI-Houston
The UTI Houston held its annual Angel Tree program to collect toys for the children of UTI students who, due to financial struggles, might not be able have a Merry Christmas this year. UTI staff were asked to “adopt” a child and provide some of the items on that child’s wish list. The campus staff provided presents for 65 children from 38 different families.

Motorcycle Mechanics Institute
Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI) held its annual Motorcycle Toy Run to the Phoenix Crisis Nursery (www.crisisnurseryphx.org) on Saturday, Dec. 8. This year marked the 22nd anniversary of MMI partnering in the fight against child abuse and neglect. More than 100 students and instructors participated in the run delivering loads of toys to the Phoenix Crisis Nursery. Chief Harley-Davidson instructor, Jon Roppe, lead the run ensuring a safe and controlled ride.

NASCAR Technical Institute
For its third year, the campus hosted its Stocks-for-Tots event to bring together stock car racing and its fans, while raising awareness for child abuse in North Carolina. More than 100 past and present motorsports celebrities meet and greet fans, who bring donations and new, unwrapped toys for children in the area. The annual event has raised more than $850,000 and provided nearly 50,000 Christmas toys.

UTI-Norwood
For more than five years, the campus has volunteered to be a Toys-for-Tots drop-off location for the community to leave donated toys. Staff and students have donated hundreds of new, unwrapped toys to be given as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community.

UTI-Orlando
Now in its third year, the internal Angel Tree program is coordinated by campus staff to support UTI students who are in need. Students with families in need are encouraged to place their child’s Christmas wish on the “angel tree.” Staff members can pick an angel from the tree and provide the child with a gift and a smile during the holidays.

UTI-Rancho Cucamonga
The campus organized an employee giving campaign called NEEDS, or “Necessary Essential Every Day Support.” Employees donated items that students can use every day, and the items would be grouped into themed baskets. Themes included “spaghetti night,” with pasta and sauce; “breakfast,” with instant oatmeal and canned fruit; and toiletry/personal baskets with toothpaste, combs and shampoo. Interested students could enter a raffle to win a basket, and more than 50 NEEDS baskets were distributed.

UTI-Sacramento
During the internal holiday party, employees enjoyed lunch and participated in a raffle to win prizes. All proceeds from raffle tickets sales are donated to benefit the campus’ students in need. The campus also welcomed Bed, Bath & Body Works to take gift orders from students and deliver them later in the week.

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