Blog
ELPO presents gifts to WKU international students for holidays
by Mandy Hicks
Many international students attending Western Kentucky University don’t get to see family during the holidays. ELPO sent gifts to students recently to lift their spirits, and help them feel a little bit more at home.
Francisco Serrano, a team member at ELPO, delivered gifts to the students at the Thanksgiving feast at the Council of International Student Organizations House on Monday, Nov. 20. Francisco is a student at WKU. His family is from El Salvador, and he is deeply involved with international student groups at WKU. “Many of the international students are not in the position to be able to go home for the holidays,” Francisco said. “The students who received the gifts are very appreciative. It’s nice to know that others in our community recognize and appreciate our students and are supportive of their presence here.”
The Thanksgiving gifts are an initiative of the ELPO Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Attorney Rebecca Simpson is serving as chair, and she attended the Thanksgiving event. The gifts included a Kroger gift card and the T-shirts that the firm sold at the International Festival earlier this year that showcase the flags of the many countries represented in Bowling Green. “This was a small gesture that our firm could make to help these students feel more welcome in our local community,” Simpson says. “We’re happy to do this and hope that it is comforting to them.”
