SJVC Atascadero Helps Toys For Tots

Students, faculty, and staff at SJVC in Atascadero came together to participate in the Toys for Tots drive this holiday season, rounding up toy donations for children in need.

The mission of the Toys for Tots Program is, “…to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.”

Around Thanksgiving, the organization contacted Barbara Holt, the campus director, to see if they could leave a box on campus to collect new, unwrapped toys.

“It’s something we’ve done in past years, too,” Barbara explains. “We put it by our little Christmas tree and let the students know what it was for.”

Kiley Embry, a medical assisting student, took notice of the collection box—but noticed it wasn’t very full yet.

“There were only a few toys, so I started spreading the word in my class and decided to ask for donations to buy toys,” she says. “I asked people to consider giving a dollar but was happy with any amount—even an extra twenty-five cents helped.”

In a couple of days, Kiley was able to purchase 63 toys, as well as clothing—such as hats and beanies—using the combined money she collected and donated on her own.

Toys for Tots picked up the toys the week before Christmas.

“In past years, we had good participation in the toy drive,” says Barbara, “But because of Kiley’s help this year, it added a lot more.”

Kiley says she enjoyed shopping for the kids.

“It was fun for me,” she says. “I had a full cart! I don’t make much money, but it felt good to give to those who are in greater need.”