Making the holiday season a little brighter for children is something the Student Veterans of America (SVA), York County Chapter, enjoys doing. Once again, they have joined forces with the First Capital Marine Corps League for a Toys for Tots drive. The collection of new, unopened, and unwrapped toys continues through Dec. 9 on campus.
YORK, Pa. — Penn State York’s veterans organization, Student Veterans of America (SVA), York Chapter, is sponsoring a Toys for Tots drive on campus. New, unopened, and unwrapped toys will be collected through Dec. 9. The toys, for children ages newborn through 12 years old, will be distributed to less fortunate children in the community through the First Capital Marine Corps League Toys for Tots program.
“These toys will be distributed to local children in need who otherwise would not have anything to open this holiday season," said Russell Heindel, a student-veteran at Penn State York and president of the Student Veterans Association, Penn State York Chapter. “We as veterans are showered with support all year long; this is one opportunity for us to return that support back to the community,” he said.
Collection boxes are located throughout the campus and will be prominently displayed at the Dec. 3 viewing of “The Polar Express,” at the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center (The Pullo Center) on campus.
In addition to toys for younger children, donations are also accepted for preteens and teenagers. In the past, items purchased for these groups have included, but are not limited to: sporting equipment/bags/balls, books, backpacks, cosmetics, purses, watch/wallet gift sets, bath gift sets, board games, radio control cars/trucks, hand-held electronics, skateboards/helmets, curling irons, hair straighteners and hair dryers.
Last year, the toy drive collected about 200 toys, and made the holiday season a little brighter for many children and adults. A variety of toys were gathered, from board games and footballs to Barbie dolls and action figures.
SVA is a national organization sharing best practices and success stories, and supporting one another to further strengthen the student-veteran community. Since SVA’s founding in 2008, more than one million veterans have returned home to pursue a postsecondary degree. SVA focuses on veteran’s welfare to ensure student veterans are supported in their transition to education and employment. Through advocacy, partnerships and alumni support, SVA strives to help all student veterans succeed and contribute to civilian society.
For more information about the York Chapter of the SVA, contact Russell Heindel, president of the SVA York Chapter, at [email protected].
