December 5, 2025

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

COAR Gift Box Drive Has Begun

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Every year, the UMW community fills gift boxes with hats, gloves, and books for 3-to-5 year old students in the Head Start program in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania. The boxes will be delivered to the students by COAR staff during finals week. If you have any questions, please check out our FAQs.

Gift Box Pick Up: Email coar@umw.edu and the COAR students can deliver the empty gift boxes to you. Or, you can stop by the Center for Community Engagement in Suite 320 in the CRUC and pick out your boxes. Students will also be coming by offices over the next few weeks. 

What goes in the boxes? Each box should include a small toy, hat, gloves, toothbrush, and toothpaste. No need to wrap, COAR students wrap gift boxes at the annual wrapping party to prepare for the campus-wide gift drive.

When are boxes returned? Boxes should be returned to the CCE by Tuesday Dec 2, if possible (use Thanksgiving Break to fill a gift box!). COAR students can pick up boxes if needed! Just email coar@umw.edu. 

Thank you! Thank you for helping our Fredericksburg community by participating in this gift drive for Head Start students.

Making Spirits Bright: College Students Deliver Holiday Joy to Local Preschoolers

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UMW students and Center for Community Engagement Director Sarah Dewees hand deliver gift boxes to local preschoolers. L-R: Dewees, Sarah Hybl ’25, Emily Thomas ’27 (in front), Emily Helpinstill ’27, Matthew Cabrera ’27, Knox McKinley ’26. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Laughter and shrieks of joy filled Fredericksburg’s Walker-Grant Center this week as preschoolers tore into vividly wrapped gift boxes, revealing colorful hats, gloves and toys featuring their favorite characters – Bluey, Spiderman, Barbie and Hello Kitty among them. “I’ve always wanted this!” exclaimed one child, clutching a toy, while another giggled over their bubblegum-flavored toothpaste.

This scene of holiday cheer was made possible by the University of Mary Washington’s annual gift box drive, organized by Community Outreach and Resources (COAR). The event not only delivered joy to local children, but also provided UMW students with invaluable skills in leadership, teamwork and community engagement.

Months of preparation led up to this moment, with UMW students coordinating every detail, from recruiting and organizing donations to wrapping boxes in festive paper. Over 300 gift boxes were filled by the campus community this year and delivered to Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania public schools, benefiting children in Head Start and Virginia Preschool Initiative programs. Each box contained essentials like hats, gloves, toothbrushes and toothpaste, as well as toys and art supplies to brighten the holidays.

“The kids just light up when they see Santa and open the gift boxes,” said Megan Dougherty, health and family engagement coordinator for Fredericksburg City Schools. “That’s what makes this one of my favorite programs of the school year.” Read more.

University Staff Council Presents Larry Atkins Awards

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On April 21, the USC celebrated this year’s three exceptional winners of the Larry Atkins Award. Nominees for the award are typically the unsung heroes of their departments who always go above and beyond to help and to set a positive example for the community.

The pool of nominees was competitive. Each nomination featured so many glowing anecdotes and proud stories of deserving colleagues that it was difficult to choose the winners. Ultimately, three UMW staff members were selected for recognition, one from each employment category, and were presented with their award at the USC’s April meeting in the HCC Auditorium. President Paino was on hand to congratulate the winners in person.

We’re pleased to announce the following three Atkins Award winners:

Sarah Dewees, Associate Director of the Center for Community Engagement

Sarah’s colleagues in the CCE nominated her for her kindness, energy, enthusiasm, and can-do attitude, crediting her for helping establish the center as one of the most vibrant on campus. Her commitment to the service mission of the center and of UMW at large is evident in all her hard work, from her collaboration with community partners to creating curricula and programs on campus. Sarah’s dedication and thoughtfulness are commendable.

Brian Ogle, Associate Registrar for Student Systems

Brian was recognized by his colleagues in the Registrar’s Office for being a diligent, knowledgeable employee with outstanding communication skills and a positive, helpful nature. His nomination letter pointed to his impeccable work managing all his responsibilities and his willingness to always lend a hand no matter who might need it. His care and concern for his work and for his colleagues is evident and greatly appreciated.

Gilbert (Danny) Carter, Grounds Worker

Danny was an integral part of the restoration of the Run-In Shed and Cow Barn at the Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont, making significant contributions to the design and implementation of the project. Danny and his colleagues worked carefully on this important project while still maintaining the buildings and grounds at Belmont to the highest standard. His colleagues admire his consistent attention to detail, strong work ethic, and ability to collaborate with the team. The staff at Belmont and across the UMW community are grateful for Danny’s excellent work.

A superb tribute video to all the winners, created by Shanita Mitchell, can be viewed on YouTube.

Please join the USC in congratulating these outstanding award recipients!

COAR’s 2020 Box Drive

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2020 Box Drive

Community Outreach and Resources’ (COAR) 2020 Box Drive works to serve the children and teens of low-income families in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Boxes will be filled with art supplies, outdoor toys, gloves, hats, etc. and delivered to kids in the community. COAR is working in collaboration with some of our local community partners, such as Hope House and the Thurman Brisben Center to provide an opportunity for UMW faculty, staff, and students to support local families and youth. Although the modality of our annual box drive has changed, our passion to serve Fredericksburg has not gone anywhere. Our presence in the community is more important now than ever before. Please consider picking up a box to fill at the CCE Suite (UC 320) now through November 2nd, open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please email questions to coarumw@gmail.com.

Service Project Takes UMW Students ‘Into the Streets’ to Build Community

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From right to left: Caroline Mowdy, Paige Beidelman and Lance Whitesel spread mulch with Tree Fredericksburg on Saturday as part of COAR’s Into the Streets. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

From right to left: Caroline Mowdy, Paige Beidelman and Lance Whitesel spread mulch with Tree Fredericksburg on Saturday as part of COAR’s Into the Streets. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Early Saturday morning, a group of University of Mary Washington students gathered on Ball Circle. Wearing masks and social distancing, they came together on that crisp fall day to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty, completing outdoor service projects for Into the Streets. The autumn tradition is hosted by UMW’s COAR (Community Outreach and Resources), whose mission is to provide structural support for community engagement, volunteerism and service.

“At a time when we are all unable to do many of the things that give us joy, satisfaction and focus,” said Leslie Martin, faculty director of UMW’s Center for Community Engagement (CCE),  “volunteering reminds us that we are all still connected and able to work together for the betterment of our shared community.”

The Center, which opened last fall, helps build bridges – and strengthen existing ones – between Mary Washington and organizations in the greater Fredericksburg area. Several of CCE’s community partners are navigating budget cuts and layoffs as a result of the pandemic, Martin said, so “our community needs us now more than ever.” Read more.

Service Project Takes UMW Students ‘Into the Streets’ to Build Community

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Early Saturday morning, a group of University of Mary Washington students gathered on Ball Circle. Wearing masks and social distancing, they came together on that crisp fall day to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty, completing outdoor service projects for Into the Streets. The autumn tradition is hosted by UMW’s COAR (Community […]

Quarantine Can’t Quash UMW’s Spirit of Service

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Senior Heather Strother is among the Mary Washington students who are contributing in their communities this summer, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. As a Friends of the Rappahannock volunteer, she’s participating in socially distanced river clean-ups.

Senior Heather Strother is among the Mary Washington students who are contributing in their communities this summer, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. As a Friends of the Rappahannock volunteer, she’s participating in socially distanced river clean-ups.

Maria Rhoads was worried when COVID-19 first hit. But the UMW senior decided fear shouldn’t stop her from serving her community.

“I’m low risk as a young person,” said Rhoads, whose first task as a Medical Reserve Corps volunteer was assisting with safety and sanitation at a local voting precinct. “Because of everything that’s happening in our world, I think it’s important for someone like me to help others.”

While many people are staying home, the pandemic hasn’t paused UMW’s passion for service. From encouraging civic participation to feeding families in need to socially distanced river clean-ups, Mary Washington students and alums are stepping up, using the skills and experiences they’ve acquired in college to give back – both in person and remotely – to their communities.

“Our students went from doing their planned work on campus this spring to recognizing a need to help others in the face of the pandemic,” said Leslie Martin, faculty director of UMW’s Center for Community Engagement. “The ethos of civic responsibility has really taken root, and they’re finding new ways to support their neighbors even in situations of such uncertainty.” Read more.