Currently: 33°F
Millersville University continues to make a difference by holding annual clothing and toy drives this winter. Anyone who donates to Toys for Tots will be entered into a raffle for a free parking space. Two students and one staff member will be selected for the prizes and the last day to donate is Dec. 19. To be entered to win, those who donate must give their name to University police or human resources. Donation boxes will be in the Boyer Building, Student Memorial Center, Palmer Building and Gordinier Hall.
Any toy is accepted as a donation, but this year, Toys for Tots is running short on toys for infants and children ages nine to 12. Millersville University Police Department Lieutenant Arthur White says every toy matters. “There are so many families that are helped in the community,” he states regarding the annual toy drive.
“Some years ago, when I was asked to assist, I noticed that there were less volunteers and the ones we did have had been at it a long time. As a police officer, there were about 10 of us helping to assist Toys for Tots in the whole county,” White shares, “With more than 600 locations to pick up from, I felt that officers would have a great opportunity to meet with the community they serve if they checked on the boxes in their areas. Almost every police department in Lancaster County now participates in the program. All the actions of the officers help with getting toys in the hands of the families who most need them.”
In addition, the Millersville University chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers is hosting its 3rd Annual Winter Clothing Drive in partnership with the Lancaster Food Hub. They will be accepting new or gently used winter coats, gloves, blankets, or hats on Dec. 6 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Ware Center. “This event holds special meaning, as the Lancaster Food Hub’s winter clothing supply tends to run low during this time of year. By hosting this drive, we aim to give back to the community when it’s most needed,” says Jordan Branch, the former president of NSBE.
Branch shares fond memories of being able to assist international students who were experiencing the winter for the first time. “It was incredibly rewarding to know that our efforts played a part in making their transition easier and helping them feel connected to the Millersville community,” he adds. “This year, we are aiming to collect even more winter clothing than in previous years. In addition to gathering donations, we plan to showcase the projects we’re working on and raise funds for NSBE’s national convention in Chicago. When we first hosted the drive, we collected over 250 coats, but this year, we are expanding our efforts to accept all new and gently used winter clothing, not just coats. We hope to make an even bigger impact and continue supporting our community during this cold season.”
Branch was inspired by his older brother to start the annual Winter Clothing Drive, “Every year, he organizes a large coat drive at the baseball stadium in downtown Richmond, VA. It’s such a big event that he often gets featured on the news. I haven’t reached that level yet, but maybe one day, I will. Still, I like to think that even though we’re in different places, we share a common goal of giving back to our communities and making a positive impact,” he says.
During a conversation with NSBE, Branch realized that this was a great opportunity to give back to the community. Beyond just collecting coats, he hopes that one day, this initiative will inspire the next generation to get involved and make a positive impact in their own way. “It’s about starting something meaningful now, with the hope that it grows and encourages others to carry the torch in the future. When I graduate, I’ll be proud of all the members and can’t wait to see what they accomplish,” Branch concludes.
