The second annual Toy Drive was a big success this year. (contributed photo)

Departments were asked to sign up if they were interested in collecting gifts for an entire student family. Individuals also signed up to support families and in some cases, a few departments garnered so much support that they were able to sponsor two families.

22 families signed up for sponsorship this year, and due to overwhelming support from the OSU community, all received gifts.

The Childcare & Family Resources Office also partnered with ASOSU’s Non-Traditional Affairs and Health and Wellness Task Forces, who helped generate support from the Greek and Residential Life communities.

“This was my first time doing the majority of the work and it was extremely rewarding. It’s fun to see the looks on the families faces when they see all the gifts their sponsors got for them. I’m amazed by the generosity from all of our sponsors,” said Tiffany Hartmann, office assistant and Junior in the College of Health and Human Sciences.

Bina Hegvedt, a student parent in her third year of Pharmacy school said this about last years’ event: “I am a mother of two toddler girls and a pharmacy student at OSU. Last Christmas was very tight with expenses. We were not able to afford presents for them, so when my husband and I were able to put wrapped presents under the tree, we were extremely grateful. The girls’ eyes lit up Christmas morning when they opened presents and received four gorgeous dresses. My girls love to look fancy and twirl in their dresses and were able to do so because of OSU’s Joy Drive.”

~ Stephanie Duckett