Holiday Luncheon makes spirits bright

Good food, good company, good spirits, and a good cause.

That sums up the 2016 SUNY Poly Holiday Luncheon in, held at semester’s end to bring together various people, departments, and stories during the holiday season as one big institutional family.

“SUNY Poly is a much stronger place now than it was a year ago,” said SUNY Poly Provost Dr. William Durgin. “Let’s look forward to a new year. And with winter solstice tomorrow we’ve got more light and a lot more to look forward to.”

Master of Ceremonies and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Andrew Russell filled the afternoon with goodwill and good puns, all animal-based of course to tie in to the central charity benefitting from the luncheon.

“Here’s to cold noses and a howling good time. And a meow-valous meal by Sodexo,” Dr. Russell joked as lunch got underway.

And what better way to wrap up the year and celebrate the holidays than by doing good for others, which is exactly what the Holiday Luncheon once again accomplished, raising several thousand dollars for Angels of Fur K-9 Rescue.

A group of volunteer dog lovers, Angels of Fur in Rome rescues, educate, provide sanctuary, and ultimately to re-home abandoned, stray and neglected dogs. All the dogs they take in are housed in foster homes where they are provided with an enormous amount of love and any medical attention that may be required to insure that they are in good health before adoption. All dogs are spayed or neutered and brought up-to-date on shots, as well as undergoing house-training and basic obedience while in Angels of Fur’s care before being placed in their new homes.

Even the menu played into the theme of canines in need, with items like Golden Retriever Glazed Carrots, Paw-tato Cheddar and Baacon Soup, and English Fox Hound Roast Beef, rounding out the main course courtesy of Sodexo.

Red and white balloons with paw prints across them filled the air of the Student Center Multipurpose Room while tables were adorned with photos of pets in need of homes, allowing SUNY Poly employees the chance to preview possible new, furry additions to their family just in time for the holidays.

Melissa Jones, Founder and Director of Angels of Fur K-9 Rescue spoke candidly about the horrors from which many dogs are rescued, and the hard work, dedication, and pure love of their volunteers that help nurse many back to a state where they’re able to be loved, some for the first time. With Bosco, a puppy rescued from an Amish puppy mill that had severe heart failure when he was found, Jones drove home the gratefulness for people like those in the SUNY Poly community who opened their hearts, wallets, and homes to these four-legged companions.

“We’re a sucker for the broken ones,” she told the crowd, fighting back tears. “The more I do this, I look at [the dogs] and you just…you can’t leave this little face to die.”

Organizers say of all the events and parties they help put together on campus, the holiday luncheon is their favorite, working to get faculty and staff out of their offices and engaging  in some fun with colleagues. The thought behind it, organizers say is that while this time of year can be sad for some, perhaps a gathering like this can offer even the smallest bit of brightness and light with the company of colleagues, a great meal, and a chance to give back.

“Our faculty and staff work hard all year to achieve a variety of goals, and the holiday luncheon is an opportunity to unwind a bit, have some laughs, participate in the auction and other crazy antics that the holiday committee has cooked up and the best part is in the spirit of the season our campus always steps up and is very generous with giving to our charity,” said Director of Campus and Corporate Events Connie Castellano. “The holiday committee always impresses me with all the great ideas and organization! It truly is a team-spirited event that we love to plan.”