Gift drive for season of giving
Christmas is the season of giving and the Campus Activities Board (CAB) teamed up with Brush Country CASA and Javelina Athletics for the Holiday Gift Drive to provide toys and other items to allow kids in need to feel the joy this holiday season.
Brush Country CASA is a local organization that assists children and teens in foster care.
Outreach Coordinator JayLene Garza explained how these children benefit from gift drives and why they chose to collaborate with CAB and Javelina Athletics.
“With the help of TAMUK Athletics and CAB, we are able to provide a brighter Christmas for children in foster care. These children may receive gifts, supplies or other essential resources that can improve their well-being, and the drive helps ensure that they have a brighter holiday season or a boost during times of need,” Garza said.
Garza also talked about the importance of gift drives in the community.
“Gift drives are essential for the community because they help address the immediate needs of vulnerable populations, like children in foster care. They foster a sense of compassion and solidarity, uniting people around a common cause,” Garza said.
In years past, CAB had worked with other organizations to help give back during the holiday season. Kelsey Dahlbeck, student engagement coordinator for Student Engagement & Campus Life, discussed why Brush Country CASA was this year’s choice.
“We wanted to give back to our local community. In the past we usually collaborated with Toys for Tots so this time we chose Brush Country Casa to help local kids in need,” Dahlbeck said.
Dahlbeck also explained how gift drives can help students learn the importance of giving back during the holiday season. “When they participate in gift drives, they can see and feel the impact they make in their community and see what makes the holidays special,” Dahlbeck said.
Rachel Steinbarger, assistant A.D. Academic Services, talked about athletics’ involvement with the gift drive.
“This event is important to Javelina Athletics because we are deeply rooted in the community and have great relationships with the elementary, middle and high schools in the area,” Steinbarger said.
The Holiday Gift Drive will run until Dec. 9, with locations to drop off at the JSEC, REC Center and McCulley Hall. For more information, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to call Student Engagement & Campus Life at 361-593-2760.