On the lower level of NMC’s Beckett Building, Kristy McDonald’s Professional Communications class comes together on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, dividing the class in half, and together organizing and preparing for the dalmatian of over 100 free Thanksgiving baskets. 

 

The tradition began when McDonald moved to Traverse City to teach at NMC from her previous position at Wayne State. She had always taught her classes through the method of experiential learning. When she took over the class, it was all textbook based. The retention was low, and students didn’t care about their work. McDonald knew this wasn’t going to work, but from her experience she knew what would: experiential learning. 

 

The project started with a small amount of money, and a goal to fill food pantries with canned goods. This remained her goal for only about five years. Each year the students brought more to the table, with more extreme goals they wanted to achieve. 

 

When the project is initiated at the beginning of the semester the class goes through the process of selection leadership to manage both the marketing and logistics sides of operations. Julianna Albaugh, the team's Communications Outreach Lead shared with the White Pine Press that they utilize both traditional and digital means of marketing. They have gone on the radio to talk about their project, and post to social media. Their main goal: find people they can help. 

 

Albaugh said that they want to keep NMC and families as their focus. On Nov. 6 they organized an event at Howe Area to promote the project. The event featured a bake sale, hot cocoa bar and a prize giveaway, with all proceeds going to the project. 

 

This year, the class’s goal is to produce 215 baskets, with an estimated total worth of around $20,000. To reach this goal, the students do all the work. They send letters, ask for donations and sponsorships, and market their mission. 

 

While the experience the students get from the course is a valuable resource, it's also valuable to the 215 families they aim to support. 50 of the families have been identified by Big Brothers Big Sisters as ones in need around the holidays, the rest go to ones that have an affiliation with NMC. 

 

One of the key points that McDonald's looks forward to during the entire process is distribution day. “People are pulling up, and telling their stories of [how they] needed it for this reason, or how they had to choose between medications or food… The stories impact the students because for each person they pack the food into their car, and they get to talk.”

 

For some, it may not be the money. The holiday seasons don’t halt due to grief, or family emergencies. McDonald’s class also offers their baskets for families who may not be facing financial insecurity, but also life circumstances that get in the way of holiday traditions, “One woman's husband had just passed away and she didn’t have the ability to shop,” McDonald told the White Pine Press.