Bringing holiday cheer to area children is the goal of York student-veterans

New, unwrapped toys and books of all kinds are needed for Toys for Tots drive
Toys for Tots  Collection box with male students each holding a toy to contribute

Collin Green, a sophomore at Penn State York majoring in project and supply chain management, left, and Jared Posedenti, a senior project and supply chain management and president of the Student Veterans of America Chapter at Penn State York, show off some of the toys that have already been donated for Toys for Tots drive on campus. Green and Posedenti are both student-veterans. The toy drive continues until noon on Dec. 22.

Credit: Barbara Dennis

YORK, Pa. — Penn State York’s Student Veterans of America, York Chapter, is once again sponsoring a Toys for Tots drive on campus. SVA has joined with the First Capitol Detachment No. 521, Marine Corps League of York, for this important project. New, unopened, and unwrapped toys and books will be collected through noon on Dec. 22.

The toys, for children ages newborn through 12 years old, will be distributed to less fortunate children in the community through the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation in York. Community members are welcome to bring donations to the campus. Toys for children ages 8 to 12 are urgently needed.

“Our yearly Toys for Tots drive allows both students and faculty alike to give a little something back to the community. Our SVA chapter is always looking for ways to support others, and with the holidays approaching, what better than to give a little back,” said Jared Posedenti, a Penn State York student-veteran and president of the group.

Collection boxes are located throughout the campus and donors are encouraged to donate whatever they can. In addition to toys for younger children, donations are also accepted for preteens and teenagers. In the past, items purchased for these groups have included, but are not limited to: sporting equipment/bags/balls, books, backpacks, cosmetics, purses, watch/wallet gift sets, bath gift sets, board games, radio control cars/trucks, hand-held electronics, skateboards/helmets, curling irons, hair straighteners, and hair dryers.

Hundreds of toys have been collected during previous toy drives on campus to help make the holiday season a little brighter for many children and adults. A variety of toys were gathered, from board games and footballs, to stuffed animals, riding toys and dolls.

“I believe Toys for Tots does an amazing job of bringing the community together with one goal in mind: To help those less fortunate at such an important time of the year. By donating, we are ensuring that the less-fortunate children of York still get to enjoy the holidays. Toys for Tots sends a message of hope to those children, and I believe that's something that everyone can get behind this holiday season,” he said.

SVA is a national organization sharing best practices, success stories, and supporting one another to further strengthen the student-veteran community.  Since SVA’s founding in 2008, more than one million veterans have returned home to pursue a postsecondary degree. SVA focuses on veteran welfare to ensure student-veterans are supported in their transition to education and employment. Through advocacy, partnerships, and alumni support, SVA strives to help all student-veterans succeed and contribute to civilian society.

For more information about the York Chapter of the SVA, contact the club president at [email protected].

To learn more about additional ways to donate to Toys for Tots, visit http://toysfortots.org.

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