UD’s 54th Christmas on campus set for Dec. 8

The University of Dayton will soon transform its campus into a holiday wonderland for local children.

The school announced its 54th annual Christmas on Campus celebration is scheduled for Dec. 8. More than 1,000 Dayton Public Schools students are expected to attend and each student will be paired with a UD student to participate in crafts, performances, a carnival and more, according to UD.

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All activities are free and open to the public and this year’s theme is “Oh Come All Ye Flyers. The opening ceremony, live Nativity, tree lighting and Santa’s arrival are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in Humanities Plaza.

Other activities, including a train display, cardboard maze and obstacle course, will take place in the Science Center, Jesse Phillips Humanities Center, RecPlex, Bookstore and Kennedy Union, according to the university.

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UD’s Christmas on campus event started in 1964 and has evolved into what the university describes as one of “the nation’s largest single-day, campus community service events.

Around 75 percent of UD’s undergraduate students are involved in the annual event, according to the school.

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“Christmas on Campus is a chance to put everything else aside, give back and realize the holiday is about so much more than material things,” said planning committee member and senior Maddy Paramo in a prepared statement. “It’s really magical for UD students because they’re able to see how much joy they can bring to these first- and second-graders’ lives.”

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