Santa with Marine Corps members and Santa’s helper dog, Asha, in 2005.

On Thursday, Dec. 7, The University of Findlay hosted a Toys for Tots Christmas party in the Alumni Memorial Union (AMU) on the UF campus. The community was invited to attend this event from 2 to 7 p.m., and all attendees were encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to support Toys for Tots.

Radio station 107.7 FM, The Fox, was on site conducting a live remote, and guests enjoyed cookies and beverages as donations were dropped off. The event also included a display of nearly 30 Christmas trees decorated by UF student organizations; raffle drawings for UF memorabilia; and the opportunity to have a photo taken with Santa’s helper dog, Asha.

As a host site for the second year in a row, UF’s goal is to collect 300 toys for children in Hancock County. Toy collection began Nov. 27 and will continue through Dec. 15. Drop-off locations on campus include the Alumni Memorial Union near the Frazer Street doors, outside the Office of Student Activities and Commuter Student Services and in the Davis Street building near the College of Education office. New, unwrapped toys may be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The University of Findlay’s Toys for Tots program is co-sponsored by The University of Findlay offices of Student Activities, Commuter Student Services, Safety and Security and Education, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and 107.7 FM, The Fox.

The goal of Toys for Tots program, sponsored by The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, is to collect toys for children who may not otherwise have Christmas gifts. All toy and cash donations made to toy collection sites in Hancock County will stay in the county and go towards the donation or purchase of the 9,000 toys needed for the 2,400 children who have requested assistance this year.

Fore more information regarding The University of Findlay’s Toys for Tots toy drive, call 419-434-4606 or e-mail studentactivities@findlay.edu.