The Grand Valley State University recreation center is a place where most people try to better
themselves physically, but for Ashley Gwynn and other staff members there, it is also a venue to exercise their charitable sides.

Gwynn and three other staff members are part of the Charity Commission, which organizes rec center employees for various initiatives throughout the year. The group just finished collecting gifts for their fifth-annual Angel Tree, an effort with the Salvation Army and J.C. Penny to provide Christmas presents to children in need.

“This is our biggest year so far,” said Gwynn, who has worked at the Rec Center for four years.

This year the Charity Commission received gift donations for 75 needy children. To donate, donors took a paper cutout angel off the tree with a particular child’s desired present on it.

“Sometimes when gifts come in late we hold them in storage until next year,” but are still accepted, Gwynn said.

The group’s presents are sent to the Salvation Army in Grand Haven, which wraps and distributes the gifts.

The Charity commission’s other endeavors include a Goodwill drive after the winter break to collect any unwanted items students may have from the holiday season, Gwynn said, and work in an area soup kitchen later in the year.

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