December 23, 2025

by Emilia Koenigsmark ‘29

The Social Work Club at Ramapo College of New Jersey joined together to spread some extra cheer this holiday season.

The club hosted a holiday card-making event, where kindhearted Roadrunners were invited to use their artistic talents to share well wishes with those who may need them most.

The brightly decorated cards, with warm holiday wishes, were set to be hand-delivered to Alps at Wayne Rehab and Care Center. The center provides skilled nursing and rehabilitation programs for those who are recovering short-term or need extended care.

“These cards are hopefully a start to making connections with others who may need it and to give back to this wonderful community,” said the club’s secretary, social work major Jewel Avila ‘26, of Stewartsville NJ.

Ramapo College students used supplies to create holiday cards for residents of a New Jersey nursing facility.

Roadrunners were welcome to grab paper, markers, and cards to decorate with whatever design they thought fit with the theme of the holidays. Psychology major Lilly Augensen ‘27 of Morristown, NJ, wrote on her card: “Wishing you a warm happy holiday.” She also sketched hearts and snowflakes all over the back. Augensen said she wanted to take part in the event “because I love to help out the elderly and I love … their bright smiling faces.”

Marketing major Racheal Stillman ‘27 of Mount Laurel, NJ, expressed joy in her ability to give back and decorate cards for the residents. “From a personal experience being with my grandma, she is very vocal about being with somebody around the holidays. It makes me feel like we should be doing that for others as well,” Stillman said. She decorated cards with a snowman, snow, and a tree, and wrote: “Wishing you a happy, warm and memorable holiday.”

Sarah Rager ‘26, a social work major from Aberdeen, NJ, said creating the cards “is a nice way to help the community and a nice way to come together for the holidays.”

Roadrunners show off the holiday cards they created during a meeting of the Social Work Club.

The Social Work Club at Ramapo is made up of both social work and non-social work majors. Together, they collaborate on social service projects, listen to guest speakers, share ideas, and work together to create change locally and globally.

For more information on social work at Ramapo College of New Jersey, including the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program and Master of Social Work (MSW) program, visit ramapo.edu/social-work.