For many University of Toledo students, the holidays come with an extra layer of juggling — classes, exams, jobs, and raising a child. This November, their fellow Rockets are stepping up to make the season a little brighter.

The University of Toledo’s Catharine S. Eberly Center for Student Experience is collecting new, unopened toys Nov. 2–30 for its annual Student Parent Toy Drive. Every toy donated will go to UToledo student parents and their children through the Holiday Toy Exchange in December.

Students, staff, faculty, and community members are all invited to take part. Just pick up a new, unopened toy and drop it off at one of the donation boxes on Main Campus or Health Science Campus. It’s a small gesture that can mean a lot to a student parent working hard to give their child a joyful holiday.

Where to Drop Off Toys

Donation boxes are available at the following locations:

Main Campus

• Center for Advocacy and Student Experience | Student Union 2518
• Carlson Library | 1st floor vestibule
• Law Building | 1st floor vestibule
• Rocket Solution Central | Tucker Hall 0100 (enter through Saloff Welcome Center)

Health Science Campus

• Collier Building | 1st floor vestibule
• Mulford Library Building | 1st floor vestibule

All donations must be dropped off by 5 p.m. on Dec. 2.

What to Donate

New, unopened toys for every age are welcome — from infant toys, board books, and stuffed animals for the littlest Rockets to board games, Lego kits, and craft sets for school-age kids, and journals, puzzle books, and sports gear for teens. The Eberly Center also shares an Amazon wish list of suggested items for shoppers who want ideas.

Please note that used toys, used stuffed animals, and used coloring items cannot be accepted, along with edible items, candles, sharp instruments, mature-related games or movies, and items with derogatory or profane language or religious sayings or symbols.

For Student Parents

UToledo student parents can register for the Holiday Toy Exchange until Dec. 4. The exchange is the Eberly Center’s way of making sure student families can celebrate the holidays together, with a little help from their campus community.

To learn more, visit the UToledo Eberly Center page for the Student Parent Toy Drive.

How to help: Grab a new, unopened toy on your next shopping trip, drop it in a donation box by Dec. 2, and spread the word to fellow Rockets. Together, Toledo can help student parents give their kids a holiday to remember.

Image: Wikimedia Commons