ABERDEEN, S.D. – This holiday season, Northern State University partnered with The Salvation Army through various volunteer and giving opportunities.

Northern students, staff – and even NSU President Dr. Tim Downs – took shifts as Salvation Army bell-ringers at the Red Kettle placed outside the Barnett Center during the Dec. 6 and 7 Wolves basketball games.

Also on campus, a mini-Red Kettle was set up at Northern’s Caribou Coffee/Einstein Bros., located on the lower level of the NSU Student Center.

Some Wolves also headed off campus to ring bells – members of the NSU Swim Team have been volunteering at Red Kettles all around town.

Finally, student groups from the Millicent School of Education set up a Salvation Army Angel Tree in the Gerber Building. Members of the NSU campus community were encouraged to take a "tag" from the tree and buy the gift ideas listed on the tag, with unwrapped gifts due back at the Angel Tree by Dec. 13.

“We, at The Salvation Army appreciate all that NSU does for us and for our community,” said Aberdeen Salvation Army Major Mary Hunt.

NSU’s President Downs said giving back is extremely important to everyone on the Northern campus, and The Salvation Army is the perfect entity for this kind of partnership.

“They do so many good things to help people of our region, especially at this time of year,” Downs said. “I’m proud that so many members of the Northern community – especially our students – stepped up to make a difference this holiday season.”

About Northern State University

Northern State University is a regional university that offers outstanding academics and exceptional extracurricular activities at an affordable price on a safe, welcoming campus. Northern State recently announced its Educational Impact Campaign, with a goal of raising $55 million for a new South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, new athletic and recreation fields, and an on-campus regional sports complex. Once the campaign is complete, NSU will be the recipient of more than $100 million in privately funded building projects and scholarships within a decade. To learn more, visit NSU Admissions.