By Marie Bueno
The Student Veterans of America joins forces this month with the U.S. Marines to make this holiday season merrier for disadvantaged children.
The organizations’ annual Toys for Tots drive at Texas A&M University-San Antonio runs through Dec. 12. Large boxes marked “Toys for Tots” sit inside all A&M campus main entrances.
The sponsors encourage those who can to drop off a toy at one of the boxes. Donations should meet the following guidelines:
- Only new, unwrapped toys will be accepted;
- Stuffed toys/animals are not accepted unless they are in the original containers;
- Handmade wooden toys are accepted.
Toys for Tots also welcomes cash donations online at the Toys for Tots website. The organization strives to help disadvantaged children and help them become responsible, productive, patriotic citizens, according to its website.
“Being from a community with such a strong military presence it’s only appropriate that I give back to the community that has helped support my family,” says Texas A&M-SA enrollment specialist John De La Rosa, who donates every year.
After the toys are collected, coordinators — along with local social welfare agencies and church groups — distribute the toys to the children who may not otherwise have the luxury of opening a gift on Christmas morning.
“A&M is such a caring campus,” De La Rosa said. “We could make help make many kids happy on Christmas morning. That’s something to be proud of.”
