Tis’ the season to give! Multiple organizations are spreading cheer this holiday season through charitable giving. Here’s a quick rundown of a few organizations you can partner with this year to give back.
Toys for Tots is a national organization, run by the U.S. Marine Corps, which donates gifts to children in need. They collect either new or unwrapped toys during the last three months of the year. Gifts are donated through events and toy box donations. The Toys for Tots Coordinator for Johnson City is Jenny Lauzier, who can be contacted at toy.tots.325@gmail.com. Anyone who desires to request toys for this holiday season should email the Toys for Tots Coordinator with the following information: parents name, child name, child gender and a phone number.
According to the local Tots for Toys website, toy pick up will be on Dec. 16 at 251 Don May Rd in Johnson City.
Toys for Tots has over 80 company partners this year. One of their highest contributing partners is Hasbro; they have donated a million dollars’ worth of gifts this year.
This holiday season, for every new game or toy donated, the Hasbro company will also donate a game or toy.
Be a Santa to a Senior! This program was created in 2003, and its purpose is to give gifts to senior citizens that may otherwise spend the holiday season alone.
There are nine participating locations near the ETSU campus. Each location has a tree with a light bulb ornament on it. The ornament has the name of a senior and three items they would like for the holidays. Once one picks up an ornament, they will purchase the gifts listed. After check out, place the unwrapped gift and ornament in its designated box.
In addition to national and local organizations giving this season, ETSU is also spreading some cheer to those in need. One event that is doing this is the “Jingle Bell Stroll Off.” The “Jingle Bell Stroll Off” is for the ETSU community and members of the NPHC. It raises awareness of food insecurity while promoting Greek unity throughout the council.
“While we are all apart of different organizations, we are all buccaneers. Food insecurity is a large problem on our campus for students, faculty and staff. Bucky’s request for food has doubled since 2016, so anyway we can help we will. It’s important to serve your local community,” said Alexia Stewart NPHC Public Relations Chair.
The entrance fee is a donation of two non-perishable foods items. The items will be donated to Bucky’s Food Pantry.
There are other volunteer opportunities at the local Home Instead Senior Care office in Johnson City. For more information, you can contact the local office at (423)-202-9837.
