SALEM, Mass. - Salem State College students, faculty and staff will give thanks by giving to others next week as they participate in the "Attitude of Gratitude" food drive from November 13th to 16th.

Part of Program Council's Attitude of Gratitude Week, the food drive and other events allow members of the SSC community to express thanks for the personal and educational opportunities they enjoy throughout the year. One of several Program Council theme weeks during the academic year, Attitude of Gratitude Week captures the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday by inspiring students to give thanks and remember those who are less fortunate through programs and events.

"With the recent events in our country there seems to be a need to give, to volunteer or to be a part of something good," said Program Council advisor Amy Bedard who coordinated the event in conjunction with Sr. Muriel Lemoine of Salem State's Interfaith Center. "This is a way for students, faculty and staff to give and to help one of their neighbors."

In addition to the food drive, students and their guests are invited to attend a Gratitude Dinner on Tuesday, Nov. 13. Students are encouraged to invite a friend, family member, professor, or other person to whom they are grateful to the dinner and function in the College's Dining Commons. Tickets to the dinner are five dollars, and proceeds from the dinner will be donated as part of the food drive.

As part of Disability Awareness Day on Tuesday, members of the Nursing Department, the Office of Students with Disabilities, and the Campus Center will instruct students in the basics of Braille, sign language, and driving a wheelchair in the campus Dining commons from 12 to 1 p.m. The Bay State Wheelers, an organized wheelchair basketball team, will visit Salem State College's O'Keefe Center on Wednesday, Nov. 14 and challenge all comers to games of five-on-five wheelchair basketball.

For more information on the food drive, Gratitude Dinner, or other events, contact Amy Bedard at the Campus Center at (978) 542-6439.