‘Toys from the Heart’ brings joy to area children
Monday, October 26, 2015
by: Tonya Lowentritt
HAMMOND – It’s time again for the holiday tradition of presenting toys to local
children coordinated by Southeastern Louisiana University student organizations to
benefit children in the local community.
Since 2005, Southeastern’s Nu Delta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority and
a fluctuating host of other organizations on Southeastern’s campus have collaborated
to organize the “Toys from the Heart” toy drive. This year, they are joined by Omicron
Nu Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., National Association for the Advancement
of Colored People (NAACP), Project P.U.L.L., Black Student Union, M.A.D.E. Men, Student
Government Association, and the African American Alumni Association Chapter.
The organizations expect to collect enough toys for 400 children this holiday
season.
“This is the 10th year for the toy drive,” said Chelsea Jacques, student coordinator
for the drive, “but this year the student coordinators decided to change the format
to benefit selected children in two community programs – Southeastern Head Start and
Central Tangipahoa Head Start.”
Jacques said the students are asking the Hammond community and all Southeastern
departments, faculty, staff and students to make a donation of a toy or a monetary
donation toward the purchase of a new toy.
New, unwrapped toys may be delivered to donation boxes located in the Student
Union East and West sides from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov 2-5, Nov. 9-12, Nov. 16-19,
Nov. 23 & 24, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1-2. Donation boxes will also be located inside the
Pennington Student Activity Center, located at the corner of University Avenue and
General Pershing Avenue, and in the SGA office in the Student Union, room 2307.
For more information about “Toys from the Heart,” contact Jacques at chelsea.jacques @southeastern.edu and type Toy Drive in the subject line.
