As fun as it is to receive, it is much more rewarding to give, especially to those in need. With the holiday season coming up, there are plenty of opportunities on and near campus to help charities and families in unfortunate circumstances.
Toy drives by several organizations are being held from now until the end of the semester.
Lambda Pi Eta
Lambda Pi Eta and Hollenbeck Youth Center are hosting the “Miracle on 1st Street” Toy Drive. New and unwrapped toys fit for children ages 0-14 are being collected. The drop-off is in Building 1, room 313. The donation box is there until Dec. 13.
Veterans Resource Center
Veterans Resource Center is also hosting a toy drive, partnering with Toys for Tots. New and unwrapped toys are asked to be donated for young children. The official drop-off location is the English and Modern Languages Department main office, in Building 24, room 214. The donations deadline is Dec. 14.
Renaissance Scholars program
The Renaissance Scholars program assists foster kids seeking higher education. To celebrate the season, they are donating holiday items to those in foster care, ages 0-17, at the McKinley Children’s Center. Drop-offs can be found all over campus: in Building 1, room 220B; Student Support and Equity Programs’ (SSEP) main office in Building 94, room 121; Bronco Bookstore; Bronco Student Center and at University Housing Services in Building 59. Donations are being collected from now until Dec. 14.
“We ask that you think of the older youth about 12-17 years old, those who typically do not want ‘toys’ but items like a $5 Subway gift card, a reading book, a pair of winter gloves, a football, etc., or similar items,” said Felixa R Rodriguez, a legal lead at the Bronco Dreamers Resource Center.
César E. Chávez Center for Higher Education
The César E. Chávez Center for Higher Education (CECCHE) is hosting a hygiene drive for the Central American migrant caravan at the U.S-Mexico border.
They are asking individuals to donate hygienic items, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, deodorant, etc., which the center will give to an organization to take to the border to help the families seeking asylum.
In exchange for the donation, the center is offering a small token of gratitude, which they call “Take One, Leave One.” This event will take place now until Dec. 7.
“It does not matter whether individuals agree with current immigration policies, it is important to understand that this is a humanitarian issue,” said Audrey Covarrubias-Aguilera, a social justice leader at CECCHE. “The people who are at the border are enduring difficult conditions, and they are in need of basic needs which we have the ability to alleviate.”