Her Campus Clemson met with Price Crenshaw this week, and let’s just say that we were blown away! As a freshman, Price is the Executive Director of Clemson Hope, and she is responsible for bringing this branch to Clemson. She is a very passionate and driven about Clemson Hope’s mission to help elementary students and to build intentional relationships with the community. We were honored to sit down and discuss this new organization with such an inspiring college student!
Hometown: Charleston, SC
Major/Minor: Elementary Education for Mathematics/Nonprofit Leadership
Year: Freshmen
Other Organization Involvement: RUF, Clemson Wesley, FCA, Campus Outreach
Favorite Clemson Tradition: Football Games
What is Clemson Hope?
Clemson Hope is a branch of Charleston Hope. It is a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring hope to the net generation through intentionality. Through the Adopt-A-Classroom program, Clemson Hope reaches out to Title I schools to provide a Christmas experience while also building personal relationships and connections with the students.
Where and how did this organization start?
Emily Hosington started Charleston Hope five or six years ago in her community of Charleston, SC because she saw a need and wanted to do something about it.
How did you get involved/started with this organization?
During my junior year of high school, I was in teacher cadets, and we adopted a classroom through Charleston Hope. However, I truly didn’t realize what I was involved in.
Fast forward a year, and I was attending the Jefferson Award Conference. Emily gave a speech during the conference and talked about her experience with starting and running Charleston Hope. I realized how special an organization I was involved with my junior year. She also talked about the loss of her boyfriend Chad who was a key member of Charleston Hope. Emily said that through grief, she continued to experience a passion for serving others. This helped her in the grieving process. This resonated with me because I could relate it to the personal grief I was experiencing from the recent passing of my grandfather.
I began having a reoccurring dream where I came to Clemson and started Clemson Hope. I met with Emily over this past summer, and we began to make it possible. In August, I came to Clemson with a deep passion for the cause.
Why did you start Clemson’s branch?
Clemson is in such a rural area, and there is a true need for Clemson Hope here. I found that there were not a lot of opportunities to get the students to interact directly with surrounding community. Ultimately, I wanted to impact the lives of the kids in the community.
What is your favorite part about Clemson Hope?
I love how Clemson Hope is very intentional. It focuses on the relationships with kids. And this impact goes both ways. The kids and volunteers gain so much from the relationships formed.
Do you have a favorite memory from volunteering with this organization?
I just love the excitement of buying the presents and knowing that you can make the kids smile. To have them truly experience that joy is my favorite part.
How has this organization impacted your view of the surrounding community of Clemson?
Heading up this organization has showed me how much God has provided in my life. It makes me appreciate my blessings. It also has showed me how kind Clemson is and how it has a heart for helping others. Clemson Hope is an avenue and opportunity to put this into action.
Where do you want this organization to go? What are your future goals?
Right now, we are in our very first year with Clemson Hope, so we are going to focus on the Adopt-a-Classroom this semester. I want to focus on building relationships with the school system and students. In the future, I would love to see it become a weekly mentorship program where we can make it more than just Christmas and the holiday season. I want everyone involved to get something out of it.
What do you plan on doing after graduation?
As of now, I would like to become a middle school math teacher. However, I am extremely open to ministry and to wherever God calls me.
What important dates this semester should we be aware of?
We have three events this semester. The present drop-off is November 28. We will have our wrapping night on November 29, and it is a great opportunity to come together as a community. Then, on December 2 we have our delivery day to James M. Brown Elementary School to bring the gifts to the students.
How does someone get involved in this organization?
Our organization is all over social media, and we rely on our website and word-of-mouth to bring awareness to our cause. If you want to adopt a classroom, email clemsonhope@gmail.com. Email is the best way to reach us, and we are quick to respond with all the information you need! If you cannot adopt an entire classroom, we would still love your help with the wrapping of the gifts on November 29. As we approach November, we will also be having a meeting for volunteers who wish to help with the delivery of the gifts.
Follow Price and Clemson Hope on social media! Stay up-to-date on all the upcoming events with this organization.
Price Crenshaw:
Instagram price_crenshaw
Clemson Hope:
Website: http://www.charlestonhope.com/clemson-hope
Instagram: @clemsonhope
Facebook: Clemson Hope