For most people in the United States, Christmas is a time in which joy abounds; however, the less fortunate among us who struggle just to buy gifts for their children may find the holidays more stressful than anything.
Fortunately, there is a way that students can help spread Christmas cheer. The brothers of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and the sisters of Zeta Phi Beta and Delta Sigma Theta sororities are collecting donations in the Student Union for “Toys from the Heart,” a charitable program that provides Christmas gifts for less fortunate children.
Jarrod Dumes, member of Kappa Alpha Psi, explained the mission of Toys from the Heart.
“The donated toys go to pretty much any family that is less fortunate. The age ranges from infant to twelve years old, and it goes to the surrounding Hammond families. We usually range about two toys per child. Last year we had up to 400 kids, so I think this year we wanted to do like 550 children, so it’s open to anybody and everybody that just wants their child to have a Christmas, pretty much.”
Donated toys also go to Successful Transitions, a program that assists homeless families in addition to the children that are signed up for the give-away on Friday, Dec. 7.
Students may donate any new toy that is appropriate for twelve-year-olds and younger. However, students that cannot find the time to purchase a toy to donate may still help out tremendously by giving monetary donations.
“We have maybe 100 toys so far, but the majority we usually buy ourselves because maybe people are too busy to go out and go get toys, but that’s what we’re here for, collecting monetary donations, and we go out and do that job for them,” said Dumes.
 Donations of wrapping paper are also accepted. Dumes expressed appreciation for those who go the extra mile to wrap the toys that they donate, because each toy is wrapped by an organizational member before being sent to Toys from the Heart. On Thursday, Dec. 6, the volunteers will have a wrapping party in the Pennington Center at 7 p.m. before representatives of Successful Transitions collect the gifts.
Once the toys are collected, the Greek members prepare for the fun part: watching children receive their gifts. Children can meet with Santa Claus and volunteers dressed as elves. The children are frequently so overwhelmed by the amount of toys that Santa’s helpers present that they cannot decide which gifts to take home.
“That’s probably the best part,” said Dumes, grinning as he recounted his past experiences working with Toys from the Heart. “When they see a room full of toys, they don’t know what to do. They just want to grab, so we direct them to their section.”
The charity is meant to bring light to families who otherwise would do without. The toys donated are not merely objects, but symbols of hope to less fortunate children and families. Dumes expressed that working with Toys from the Heart showed him how rewarding it can be to reach out and give to others.
“Just to see the smile on their faces, things of that nature, it really warms your heart,” said Dumes. “We don’t look at it as a community service event. It’s just something that we want and need to do.”
Donations for Toys from the Heart will be accepted until Wednesday, Dec. 5. For those interested in donating or signing up a child to receive gifts from Toys from the Heart, contact the Office of Multicultural and International Student Affairs at 985-549-3850.