UNews - Annette Bright

Hugs from Home gives ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge students a much-needed boost

caroline.zentner — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 19:40:11 +0000

At a time when students are facing multiple stressors including mid-term exams and assignments coming due, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Bookstore and Housing Services have joined forces for the Hugs from Home support campaign.

Parents of students living in residence were invited by postcard to order Hugs from Home packages online from the Bookstore. They chose from two unique packages, one which contained a mug, hot chocolate and chocolate bars and another that included treats like cookies and popcorn. Parents could also add other items to customize the gift for their student. The Bookstore packaged the gifts, along with an encouraging message sent by parents, for Housing Services to distribute.

Madina Ali, left, accepts a Hugs from Home gift package from Laura Correal, residence life education coordinator.

“I think it’s an amazing program and I love getting a Hug from Home gift,” says Madina Ali, a fourth-year student from Calgary. “In my fourth year, I did not think my parents were going to send me one. We’re in the part of the semester where exams are taking over and everyone’s mental health has kind of taken a dip. Getting the email that I’ve got a hug to pick up, my heart just warmed.”

“We participated in the Hugs from Home program because we wanted to make Madina smile,” says Ambreen Ali, Madina’s mother. “We know the stress of exams and assignments and living on your own and we wanted our daughter to know we are thinking of her. We can’t physically be there to give her a supportive hug, but we can make her feel our support this way.”

Madina, who works as a residence assistant and is a representative on the U of L Students’ Union, knows other students feel the same way.

“People really like Hugs from Home because it’s a reminder that, even if you’re not with your family, they’re still always thinking about you,” she says. “Even though you’re away and becoming your own independent person, you still have your family supporting you.”

Not only are students dealing with extra pressures on the academic side, returning students are getting used to living on campus again after spending last year learning remotely due to COVID-19.

“Hugs from Home came at a really crucial time for students,” says Laura Correal, residence life education coordinator with U of L Housing Services. “They’ve been in the groove of school for a while and midterms are picking up. It’s an overwhelming time. Everyone comes in and they’re very excited to have that little gift they weren’t expecting at a time when it’s really needed.”

The Hugs from Home program, now in its fourth year, has always been popular, but this year it sold out. Annette Bright, Bookstore manager, suspects it’s because, for both first- and second-year students, it’s their first year on campus. Some parents have even purchased extra gifts to donate to other students in need.

“Parents are so appreciative because they were thinking about how they could connect with their student to let them know they’re thinking about them and that they’re behind them,” says Bright.

The Secret Garden provides this year’s theme for the U of L Bookstore’s Tree of Knowledge

caroline.zentner — Thu, 23 Nov 2017 23:23:46 +0000

In its annual tradition, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Bookstore staff put their creative minds to work to decorate the Tree of Knowledge for the 2017 Christmas Tree Festival. The long-running festival, where local businesses, individuals and community groups sponsor and decorate trees, raises funds for the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation.

“This Christmas, the U of L Bookstore and friends paid homage to the much-loved children’s classic, The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett,” says Annette Bright, Bookstore manager. “We created a magical Christmas tree blooming with lush flowers and alive with sparkling butterflies.”

The tree bears the gift of knowledge with the promise of exciting adventures in the stories that adorn its branches. In addition, the tree holds a variety of gift certificates from Sport & Recreation, 10 theatre tickets courtesy of the Faculty of Fine Arts, a fleece blanket tree skirt from Printing Services and more than $2,000 worth of books by various publishers. The tree was sponsored by Nancy Walker, U of L vice-president finance and administration.

The festival wrapped up Wednesday, Nov. 22 with a Gala and Auction. More than $230,000 was raised, a record-setting amount. The U of L’s Tree of Knowledge fetched an impressive $3,000 and the purchaser donated the books to Gilbert Paterson Middle School.

U of L students unite to fight cancer

caroline.zentner — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 17:04:06 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students’ Union (ULSU) and the U of L Bookstore have teamed up to fight cancer through a movement called F*CK CANCER inwykiwyk.

The F*CK CANCER inwykiwyk (an acronym for It’s Not What You Know, It’s Who You Know) movement was designed to give young adults whose lives have been impacted by cancer a way to raise money and attend a charity event that allows them to bond and gain strength from others.

“The U of L Bookstore is proud to partner with the Students’ Union on this important initiative,” says Annette Bright, Bookstore manager. “Cancer affects everyone and we are happy to help support our students as they raise money to help fight this disease.”

Those who want to attend the F*CK CANCER event on Oct. 16 at The Zoo must wear a F*CK CANCER T-shirt to gain entry. Those new to the event can buy a T-shirt, with lettering in a rainbow of colours in support of various types of cancers, at the U of L Bookstore for $25. Those who want to use their T-shirts from last year need only buy a $25 ticket, also available at the Bookstore, to this year’s event.

Riley Miller, ULSU vice-president student affairs, poses with F*CK CANCER T-shirts available at the U of L Bookstore.

The movement began in Montreal in 2010. Julie Greenbaum, one of the movement’s co-founders, wanted to honour her mother who had died after a battle with ovarian cancer. Since then, F*CK CANCER charity events have been held in Ottawa, Toronto, London, Ont. and Los Angeles.

Last September, Riley Miller, now the ULSU vice-president of student affairs, brought the event to Lethbridge and raised $8,000 for the Jack Ady Cancer Centre.

He hopes to raise even more money for cancer this year.

“Ideally, the goal is to go above and beyond that so I hope that people who participated last year had a good time and will come out again and we can raise $10,000,” says Miller.

The event has special significance for Miller since he’s a cancer survivor himself. In 2011, he underwent treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

“It’s a different twist on how cancer fundraisers go and bringing awareness to a cause. It reaches out to our age group and instead of mourning, it’s celebrating,” says Miller. “The public is more than welcome to join in on the movement.”

The F*CK CANCER event starts at 9 p.m. Oct. 16 at The Zoo and features several guest DJs.

Every contribution counts

trevor.kenney — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 19:56:19 +0000

Supporting student awards can cost less than your daily coffee.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Bookstore Manager Annette Bright is as connected to students as anyone on campus. A staff member at the U of L for 30 years, she has always worked closely with students, first as a staffer in the library and then as a textbook buyer and now manager of the bookstore.

She thoroughly enjoys her connection to students, and it gives her an insight into their lives and the struggles they face.

Bookstore manager Annette Bright sees the benefits of the SOS campaign in the students she encounters.

"The relationship between students, faculty and staff here is like a family. Students come to us for advice or just to say hi, and we get to share in their
accomplishments," she says.

It bothers Bright when she hears of students not being able to realize their potential because of the financial barriers they encounter.

"I get to know a lot of students and I hear about their struggles," she explains. "Often they can't afford food, rent or their course materials. It's troubling when they tell me they can't afford their books."

In 2005, the Supporting Our Students (SOS) campaign was initiated in response to those challenges. An annual campaign for faculty, staff and retirees, the SOS campaign allows the U of L community to support student awards.

Bright says she quickly saw value in the program and her involvement with SOS has gradually increased over the years.

"More and more people around became involved with the campaign," says Bright, "so I started giving and volunteering. It's the easiest thing to do."

Through her daily duties in the bookstore, she is often reminded of how important her donations can be to a student.

"I think about SOS the most when I see how much a student's books can cost," she says. "That's when I really hope the student is getting the benefit of a scholarship or bursary."

Bright isn't shy about her support of the SOS campaign, and her enthusiasm is contagious. She's quick to point out that gifts to SOS need not be large, especially if more of the campus community comes together to support SOS.

"Every dollar counts," she emphasizes. "Some people say, 'I can't give enough.' But if everyone on campus gave even $5 a month, we could help so many students!"

And, Bright reminds us, $5 is less than many of us spend on coffee even in one day.

For more information on Supporting Our Students or to make your contribution today, visit www.uleth.ca/giving.

This story first appeared in the October 2012 issue of the Legend. To see the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Long Service & Retirement Recognition Ceremony

trevor.kenney — Wed, 09 May 2012 17:44:43 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is holding its annual Long Service Awards and Retirement Recognition Ceremony on Wednesday, May 9 at 1 p.m. in the Students' Union Ballrooms.

A total of 103 employees, including 20 retiring employees and those who have completed 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of service, will be honoured.

All employees are invited to the ceremony and reception to honour the award recipients listed below. The reception will include light refreshments.

Retirees

Nola Aitken, Pat Anderson, Bill Cade, Maria Draper, Carol Gaetz, Mary Anne Hellinga, John Johnston, Cindy Kabelka, Frank Klassen, Michael Kubara, Christina Lastuka, Rita Law, Kathy Lee, Marg McKeen, Bruce McMullin, Shari Platt, Charlene Sawatsky, Richard Tedesco, Barbara Wolstoncroft and Joan Zimmer

Long Service Recipients

40 Years

Lois Boras and
Jean Mankee

35 Years

Barbara Dickinson, Heather Mirau and Brian Parkinson

30 Years

Rene Barendregt, Annette Bright, Peter Heffernan, Barb Hodgson, Kurt Klein, William Krysak, Judy Lacey, Phill Lema, Valerie Richardson, Kim Selk and John Vokey

25 Years

Candace Dueck, John Eng, Frank Klassen, Sheila Lowe, Fiona Randle, Thomas Staples, Greg Tompkins, Kelly Vaselenak, Peter Visentin and Diana Young

20 Years

Lynn Ambedian, Robin Bright, Naomi Cramer, Mary Dyck, Rod Gelleny, Michael Kern, Judith Kulig, Rick Peter, Robert Runte, Sandy Slavin, Maxine Tedesco and Jeff Vucurevich

15 Years

Dwayne Armstrong, Mara Baldwin, Kerry Bernes, Lesley Brown, James Clark, Tom Doyle, Larry Flanagan, Carolyn Gaebel, Cam Goater, Bradley Hagen, Rob Johnson, Ed Jurkowski, Angela Luck, Goldie Morgentaler, Dan O'Donnell, Kent Peacock, Brent Selinger, Marlo Steed and
Nicole Wilson

10 Years

Peter Alward, Christine Anderson, Ebenezer Asem, Roberto Bello, Shawn Bubel, Kris Caldwell, Michael Campbell, Connie Chaplin, John Claassen, Melanie Collado, Dagmar Dahle, Alesha Farfus-Shukaliak, Bev Garnett, Daya Gaur, Joanne Gedrasik, Betsy Greenlees, Trevor Harrison, Linda Janz, Sharon Kanashiro, John Kometz, Igor Kovalchuk, Olga Kovalchuk, Bette Jo Kulak, James Linville, Douglas MacArthur, Claudia Malacrida, Kyla McFadden, Jacqueline Montain, Mandy Moser, Bob Muskovich, Janice Newberry, Tammy Paskuski, Jill Payant, Wilf Roesler, Edward Sandzewicz, Daryl Schacher, Darren Schell, Arlan Schultz, Daniela Sirbu, Debbie Tarnava, John Usher, Derek Vincent, Bernie Wirzba and Cindy Yee

UNews - Annette Bright

Hugs from Home gives ��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge students a much-needed boost

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