2014 Christmas for Kids toy drive kicks off

(L-R) Jenna Rigg, Jaclyn Stapleton and Annette McCoy display Wright State's 2013 donation of unwrapped toys for the FLOC Toy Cottage in Montgomery County.

(L-R) Jenna Rigg, Jaclyn Stapleton and Annette McCoy display Wright State’s 2013 donation of unwrapped toys for the FLOC Toy Cottage in Montgomery County.

Toy barrels are popping up around the Dayton Campus as part of the annual Holiday Gift Program at Wright State University.

Every year, Wright State works with Montgomery and Greene County Children Services, and their associated organizations, to collect gifts for Dayton-area families in need.

“I’m honored to be a part of this project and thrilled to be able to see firsthand the joy of giving from our wonderful Wright State community,” said Annette McCoy, marketing coordinator for Wright State’s Office of  Marketing. “The generosity of Wright State faculty, staff and students makes an incredible difference for so many children during the holiday season.”

Photo of toy donations for the Christmas for Kids toy drive at Wright State.

Donations of new, unwrapped gifts are collected in the barrels and will be used to stock the Toy Cottage in downtown Dayton, where parents and foster parents can choose items for their children.

Donations of new, unwrapped gifts are collected in the barrels around campus, and will be used to stock the Toy Cottage in downtown Dayton. The Toy Cottage, in association with Montgomery County Children Services, is managed by FLOC (For Love of Children), volunteers who are passionate about caring for children in the Montgomery County community.

Beth Mann, president of the FLOC board said, “the fact that the campus of Wright State embraces FLOC and the children we support says much for the university and the individuals involved. In offering Christmas to children who would be living a sad and empty holiday, you not only offer the gift of giving, you offer that gift of hope — that there is someone who cares, that there can be good in a very stark world. In contributing to this program, you will make a difference in the lives of children who need to dream of good things to come.”

Another option for helping those in need is to “adopt” a child or family of children for the holidays. Greene County Children Services provides Wright State with a list of children and their modest wishlist for Christmas. Individuals and groups “adopt” the children and provide gifts based on those wishlists.

Wright State's toy drive coordinator Annette McCoy at the Toy Cottage with the toys donated in 2013 by the Wright State community.

Wright State’s toy drive coordinator Annette McCoy at the Toy Cottage with the toys donated in 2013 by the Wright State community.

Helen Williams, CARES unit coordinator at Greene County Children Services, said “Wright State has a huge impact on the success of the program, and we really appreciate Wright State’s spirit of giving.”

If you’re interested in donating to the Toy Cottage, please drop off new, unwrapped gifts in the donation barrels (locations below) by Friday, Dec.12.

Gift Suggestion (age 17 and younger)

  • Sporting goods
  • Bicycles, scooters, skateboards
  • Arts/crafts sets
  • Baseball hats
  • NFL, MLB, NBA apparel
  • Wallets
  • Music/hip hop CDs
  • Grooming kits
  • Perfumes, colognes
  • Jewelry and accessories
  • Board games
  • Handheld games
  • Barbies, Bratz
  • Polly Pockets
  • Baby dolls
  • Star Wars, Batman, Spiderman
  • Remote control cars
  • Educational baby toys
  • Talking/singing toys
  • Legos
  • Books

Barrels are placed in the following locations:

  • Allyn Hall, 116, ERC
  • Biological Sciences, 235, Biology Office
  • Diggs III Laboratory, 162, Administrative Offices
  • Dunbar Library, 023, CTL
  • Ellis Human Development Institute, 2nd Floor Student Lounge
  • Foundations Building, 3rd Floor, Advancement
  • Health Sciences, 117, SOPP
  • Mathematics & Microbiological Sciences, 120
  • Medical Sciences, 115, HR
  • Millett, 140, Bolinga Center
  • Nutter Center, 430, Administrative Offices
  • Oelman, 134, COSM
  • Research Blvd., 3171, South Wing, Rm 259, SARDI
  • Rike Hall, 121, RSCOB
  • Russ Engineering Center, 405, CECS
  • Student Union, 182, Bookstore
  • University Hall, 160, CONH
  • Wright State Research Institute Building, Suite 300, Office of Marketing

If you’re interested in adopting a child or family for the holidays, please contact Annette McCoy at (937) 912-0635 or (937) 912-0646 for more information.

Gifts for these families must also be dropped off by Friday, Dec. 12, at 4035 Colonel Glenn Hwy., Suite 300, Beavercreek, OH 45431.

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