With the holiday season upon us, the SkillsUSA chapter at South Arkansas College found a heartwarming way to give back to the El Dorado community while developing crucial professional skills.
Students dedicated time to design and create personalized Christmas cards for residents at Hudson Memorial Nursing Home. This project aimed to foster holiday cheer and give students hands-on experience in professionalism, teamwork and creative expression.
“I like doing this because it’ll make people not feel alone and cared for around the holidays,”
first-year SkillsUSA member Jacob Neel said.
The project, which took place during the organization’s November monthly meeting, required SkillsUSA members to work together to produce nearly 100 unique cards, each with a message of warmth and encouragement. Students split into small groups and collaborated on card design, messaging and decorative elements, from stickers to hand-drawn holiday scenes. The result was a collection of holiday greetings that reflected both festive spirit and student creativity.
This is the third year SkillsUSA members participated in this project.
SkillsUSA advisors Amanda Rhodes and Katheryn Bourne said that they saw an opportunity to blend holiday giving with essential career-building activities.
The project offered students a unique opportunity to practice skills like communication, attention to detail and collaboration, Bourne said.
“Our goal was to teach professionalism, teamwork, and service in a meaningful and fun way,” she said. “Our students learned how to work together effectively, plan their time, and create a product that brings joy to others. It’s the kind of experience they’ll hopefully carry into their careers.”
She added that the project was deeply meaningful and rewarding to the students, as it offered a chance to give back to the community while engaging in team-building exercises.
“This is my second year doing this,” SkillsUSA Vice President Kailee Johnson reflected on the experience. “I enjoy making the cards because it brings joy to me to make others smile.”