The seventh annual Hamden Senior Holiday Gift Run luncheon is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Dec. 9 at the Senior Center, 2901 Dixwell Avenue. The event is a collaboration between Quinnipiac's AM 1220 WQUN, the senior center, Apex Pharmacy, Bankwell Bank, Hindinger Farms and VNA Community Healthcare.

“It is very important for the seniors because many of them are isolated,” said Ray Andrewsen, general manager at WQUN. “We hear from senior services frequently that many seniors are choosing between food and fuel. It is heart wrenching when you think about how many of them really appreciate a small gift. It means a lot. It’s a neighborly thing to do. It’s neighbor to neighbor – that’s why we stared this seven years ago.”

Santa will hand out gifts bags packed with non-perishable food, coats, gloves, hats, scarfs, blankets, gift cards and toiletries that had been collected through donations at 15 Hamden locations, including the Hamden Public Library and the Chamber of Commerce, since Nov. 1.

On Dec. 1, Quinnipiac’s Susan Paulsen, secretary for transfer and part-time admissions, and Eleanor Cavallaro, admissions assistant, visited the radio station to drop off $280 in gift cards and six large bags full of items collected by their department, including handmade prayer shawls.

“Hamden has a huge senior population,” said Paulsen. “It’s important to give back.”

WQUN, will accept donations at its 3085 Whitney Ave. office through Dec. 6.

“There are more seniors in Hamden than any other municipality in the state, and the senior population is the highest forgotten population during the holidays,” said Maria Phillips, the radio station’s director of sales and marketing. For seven years, we’ve brought bring joy to the senior population. As we’ve continued to grow, the word has gotten out.”

About Quinnipiac University

Quinnipiac is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian institution located 90 minutes north of New York City and two hours from Boston. The university enrolls 6,784 full-time undergraduate and 2,884 graduate and part-time students in 100 degree programs through its Schools of Business, Communications, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, Law, Medicine, Nursing and College of Arts and Sciences. Quinnipiac consistently ranks among the top regional universities in the North in U.S. News & World Report’s America’s “Best Colleges” issue. Quinnipiac also is recognized in Princeton Review’s “The Best 381 Colleges.” The Chronicle of Higher Education has named Quinnipiac among the “Great Colleges to Work For.” For more information, please visit www.qu.edu. Connect with Quinnipiac on Facebook at www.facebook.com/quinnipiacunews and follow Quinnipiac on Twitter @QuinnipiacU.

Media Contact:
John W. Morgan
Associate Vice President for Public Relations, Quinnipiac University
203-582-5359 (office)
203-206-4449 (cell)