Toys for T-Town, a partnership between the Student Government Association, Hilton Garden Inn and University Programs, is carrying out SGA’s mission of community service in response to the April 27 tornado, according to a press release.
The SGA will be collecting new, unwrapped toys during the month of November. All toys will go directly to students who were affected by the tornado, according to the release. Students can take a bus to the Mississippi State away game on November 12. Taking the bus does not include a ticket to the game.
“Instead of paying for the bus in cash, every student must bring a toy to donate, which will essentially benefit Toys for T-Town,” said David Wilson, vice president of Student Affairs.
Students can register for a seat on the bus by going to the list of events at uaferguson.tix.com, according to a press release. Click on the event titled “On the Town with the Ferg: Mississippi State” and follow the instructions on how to sign up and register.
All students need to print off the ticket and bring it with them to Room 100 in the Ferguson Center. Only one person may register per seat, and students are required to return to Tuscaloosa on the bus due to safety reasons.
“We want to give students the opportunity to give back hope and happiness to the children of our Tuscaloosa community,” student programming assistant Kathy Hasselwander said.
After the tornado, the Hilton Garden Inn Tuscaloosa wanted to help those affected in a different way. During their 4th Annual Christmas in July, a charity drive was created to collect donated toys for the children of the Tuscaloosa area – primarily families who had suffered losses during the April 27 tornado, Traci Channell, director of sales, said in a press release.
“There are so many families who had such loss during the April 27 tornado,” Channell said. “Although many needs have been met through generous donations and sponsorships, we hope to provide toys to some of those families who may not have the means to purchase Christmas gifts for their children.”
They are looking for toy donations for a wide range of ages, from newborns to teenagers, Katie O’Laughlin, SGA press secretary, said. All toys must be new and unopened. If you register to ride the Mississippi State away game bus, you can ride for free with the donation of a toy. Toys can be brought to the University Programs Office, SGA Office or Ferguson Center Room 100 between now and November 30.
“The SGA is very excited to offer this opportunity to students to help those families affected by the April 27 storm,” O’Laughlin said.
