University Housing

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Dial-A-Carol was started in December 1960 by Betty Gordon, an area office secretary, and the residents of Snyder Hall who wanted to spread some holiday cheer around campus. Since then, Dial-A-Carol has grown to answering 16,000+ calls with the help student volunteers in Snyder.

Volunteers spread holiday cheer by singing nearly any requested holiday song! Volunteers also help record the names and locations of those calling in so there is a record of Dial-A-Carol’s journey over the years. 

There is no requirement for a minimum number of hours. However, after 10 hours of volunteering, you’ll receive a free Dial-A-Carol shirt. 

Dial-A-Carol runs 24/7 during finals week, and volunteers are needed throughout this time. Feel free to volunteer as much as you’d like, but don’t feel obligated to over commit yourself. You can sign-up in advance or walk-in to help. 

Nope! While carols are typically for Christmas, we actually sing nearly any holiday or seasonal song that callers would like to hear.  

There will be stations set up in Snyder lobby. At each station, there will be a small script for what to say, so don’t fret. Also, there will be a binder full of the most requested songs for your reference. 

Of course not! Volunteers are provided with a binder of 100 song lyrics for the most commonly requested songs. Still, if someone requests a song that the volunteer doesn’t know, volunteers will give the option of badly singing their request or singing a different song instead. 

The joy of knowing you’re spreading holiday cheer! Also, Dial-A-Carol can provide verification for service hours. To show appreciation for volunteers, any one that volunteers for 10 or more hours over the week will receive a free Dial-A-Carol shirt! And our returning volunteers will get the title of “head caroler”!