By Zahra Rashid
UNIVERSITY CITY SHARJAH – Fifty-five student volunteers sewed stuffed animals and toys for underprivileged children at the eighth edition of the American University of Sharjah Community Services and Outreach “Toy Stories Workshop” on Feb. 28 and March 1.
The workshop was in collaboration with IEEE HKN, an engineering honor society, said Community Services and Outreach Coordinator Amawi ElKhalifa. She added that they host the event annually and this was the first time they collaborated with another organization for it.
ElKhalifa provided the students with felt, cotton, needles, threads, chalks and many more materials to make the toys.
The volunteers completed 32 toys in a variety of different shapes and sizes such as hearts, phones and movie characters. A dozen more toys were made but needed finishing touches after the event.
“This was an easy way to talk with the other volunteers and share passions while doing something to serve the community,” said ElKhalifa.
“It was a great opportunity to contribute to a lovely cause while also gaining a new skill in the process,” said Maram Kafoud, one of the student volunteers who participated. “I personally had never picked up a sewing needle before but I managed to quickly understand the process and assist new volunteers as well.”
