Rowan students are taking upon the role of Santa Claus and placing gifts under children’s
Christmas trees this holiday season through Rowan’s Army Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC) and Military Services Annual Toys For Tots Collection which has been collecting gifts since Nov. 6 and will continue through Dec. 15.
Toys for Tots is an organization dedicated to delivering presents during the holidays to less
fortunate youth in hopes of bringing the joy of Christmas to them. The drive guides students to
bring in a new, unwrapped toy for children starting from the age of an infant through
teenagehood to the drop-off locations in Savitz Hall, Business Hall, and Shpeen Hall. Savitz Hall’s bins
are located on the second floor and both Business and Shpeen Hall’s bins are displayed when
walking into each building. The drop-off times are during business hours between 9 a.m. and 4
p.m. on Mondays through Fridays.
“I think just knowing that you’re helping other people motivates me because I like to help other
people” said Elizabeth Sosnoski, the military services coordinator and school certifying
official as well as Rowan’s Toys for Tots ambassador.
This is Rowan’s eighteenth annual Toys for Tots collection while the coordinator Beth Sosnoski’s
thirteenth year and they have seen increasing progress each season. They achieved their goal
of filling eight boxes full of toys in 2022 and plan to challenge themselves to fill up more boxes this
winter. The toys that have been donated so far include Pictionary and Monopoly board games,
LOL Surprise Dolls, and a construction-themed playset. They have filled about two and a half
boxes full as of Dec. 1.
“It is always a great feeling to see the younger generation taking an interest [to] assist children
in need who without their assistance those children may not have a Christmas,” voiced the
coordinators of Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots of Gloucester County, Kevin and Shanin
Baisch. “Rowan University has always been a huge support to our campaign and extremely
generous.”
The Rowan Army ROTC program helps with the Toys for Tots collection and along with the drive
the Military Service Office is also collecting care packages in support of Operation Yellow
Ribbon. These care packages aid those who are actively deployed in our military. Care
packages can be dropped off at the Military Services Office in Savitz room 304 and will be
collected up through Dec. 15. Items that can be added to these care packages may
include trail mix, protein powder, energy bars, chapstick, hand sanitizer, tea, sunflower seeds,
and ground coffee. Students’ involvement in donating to organizations has been commended by
Toys for Tots ambassadors.
“It warms my heart to see college students donating their time and hard-earn money to the
cause,” remarked Kevin Mallon, the coordinator of the Marine Toys For Tots Foundation in Cape
May County.
This year for the first time Rowan has made prize baskets that will be drawn in a raffle between
all students who donate to Toys for Tots. Those who bring in a toy to Savitz on the second floor
will receive a raffle ticket to be entered in a drawing for prize baskets. There are two gift
baskets, allowing two students the chance to win a basket. Included inside both are a Rowan
t-shirt, a Rowan blanket, and a large box of K-cups. The winners will be called on Dec. 18.
The organization aims for students to bring children gifts for Christmas and also gives
participants a chance to possibly receive a gift of their own.
“[On] the Savitz second floor you’ll see the big Toys for Tots sign and if you bring a toy in we’re
actually doing a couple raffles,” said Sosnoski. “You’ll get a ticket to get entered in the raffle
drawing…so please bring in the toys.”
All Rowan students, local businesses, faculty members, and community members who are
interested in donating to the Toys For Tots organization can bring in children’s gifts including
unused books and unopened toys. The drive will accept dolls and LEGO sets for example as
well as children’s books themed around Christmas. Places to find toys to bring in to donate
include Target, WalMart, BigLots, and Marshall’s. All donations will be accepted as long as they
are unwrapped and unopened toys for ages ranging from young children to adolescents.
“This is a great opportunity for college students to get involved around this time of the year
because they are making a difference in people’s lives not just around the holiday season but all
year-round,” expressed Atlantic County Toys for Tots representative Courtney Rice.
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