By Tiuanna Harris, The Vista Staff Writer

The University is spreading some Christmas cheer and giving back to the Edmond Community this Christmas season.

Winterglow is the official lighting of the campus kicks off the festivities.

The event has activities for everyone old and young.

There will be games and crafts as well as horse carriage rides and smores being donated by Bryant Place.

It is a big winter festival for students and families in the community.

“This is an opportunity for the community to come and take part in something here at UCO,” said Kay Robinson Campus Activities and Events Director.

The kids will be able to make ornaments and decorate little snowman and trees and there will also be free hot chocolate and cookies given out in the food court in the Nigh.”

Robinson said upstairs in the UC there will be games and activities for the kids as well.

There will be face painting and a candy tree for kids to get a treat off of.

“The theme for the ballroom activities is Whoville from the Dr. Seuss book, so we will have a whoville hair station as well,” said Robinson.

“Winterglow is like a carnival, there are a lot of things for kids to do but UCO students will certainly enjoy themselves as well,” said Mikey Shellabarger chairperson of the the Winterglow executive board.

“There will be a place for parents to relax while the kids can run around”.

Santa will be in attendance at the event and Taylor Made Photography donated their time to come take photos with him.

Parents are asked to bring an unwrapped toy to be donated to the Edmond Hope center for a picture with Santa.

The event will also include carolers to provide some musical entertainment. “We have 125 volunteers that help run Winterglow, it takes a lot of help to pull it off,” said Robinson.

“We wouldn’t be able to do Winterglow without volunteers,” said Shellabarger.

Winterglow is free to UCO students and the Edmond Community with the purpose of bringing the community and the University together to celebrate the holidays.

President Webb as well as Edmond Mayor Patrice Douglas is said to be in attendance as well to say a few words before the official lighting of the campus at Old North.  Winterglow kicks off at 6pm Dec 1.

Another way the University is giving back to the Community is through the Presidents Club Children Christmas party.

Since October the Executive board of the club has been asking UCO students to signup to sponsor a child from one of the Edmond Schools that are participating and has been identified as a child in need.

“There are a lot of Edmond of kids don’t get Christmas,” said Robinson. “They get to meet Santa and get a backpack full of gifts donated by the UCO student that is sponsoring them.”

The University volunteer services office donated hats, gloves and scarves and Citizens bank donated custom made UCO tee shirts to the kids.

There will be activities and cookie decorating for them as well.

Some UCO varsity athletes have also volunteered to spend some time with the kids, playing basketball, football, golf, and soccer games with them.

The University Pom and cheerleading squad will also be at the event teaching the kids dances and cheers. The party is on Friday December 4 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.