Classes are ending and exams are quickly approaching; the holiday season is just around the corner.
While most students are looking forward to spending the break with loved ones, exchanging gifts and celebrating, Laurier is providing an opportunity to give back to those who are less fortunate by donating to the university’s annual toy drive, which began on Nov. 20.
In the five years since the toy drive started, organizer and Laurier staff member Sarah Wilkinson explains that “each year it just gets better.”
When she took over planning the event several years ago, Wilkinson contacted the Waterloo Salvation Army and inquired about what sort of toys they were looking to collect to see what the Laurier community could contribute to their holiday drive.
Wilkinson explained that she engaged in a big marketing campaign and “put out flyers and announcements online to promote the toy drive.”
According to Wilkinson, the response from faculty and students has always been incredible.
Last year, Laurier “collected nine large boxes of toys and raised approximately $300,” which is the largest number of donations the event has ever accumulated.
Wilkinson, however, does not expect to collect as much as in previous years, because of the poor economy. “Due to the difficult year people have had financially, it may not be as easy for everyone to give.”
Still, she remains optimistic that people will get into the spirit of giving and participate in the event.
