Washburn University has begun its annual drive for The Marine Corp Reserve Toys for Tots campaign. From now until Thursday, Dec. 22, there will be bins located outside of numerous campus buildings including the Living and Learning Center lobby, Mabee Library, and the Washburn University Bookstore.

Unwrapped gifts are needed for children, from newborn to 18 years old. This year, the goal is to reach 400 toys. In previous years, the students and faculty of Washburn have not only met but have exceeded their set goal.

The prospect is that people at Washburn will continue the same generosity this season.

Six faculty members have joined  the committee for Toys for Tots this year in hopes to make the campaign as successful as possible. One member, Rhonda Wedel, also a member of the bookstore, is helping students to donate gifts, with an option of getting 25 percent off any donated gift from the bookstore this holiday.

Other members include Michaela Saunders, university relations web editor, Gary Handy, assistant director of student activities and Greek life,  Jamie McEwen, student employment coordinator, Julie Unruh, adjunct nursing professor and Patricia Dahl, assistant professor of criminal justice and legal studies.

These faculty are working hard to promote the season of giving this holiday as students and faculty throughout Washburn donate gifts to Toys for Tots.

“In my mind, they’re giving a child a sense of hope,” said Dahl.

She went on to explain the importance and satisfaction in raising a child’s hope for a season where they are surrounded by gift giving, but in any other circumstance would not have gotten a single gift themselves. Dahl also donated a tub of chalk to the drive.

“I feel the greatest benefit of giving is the gift that you receive back,” said Ashley Raulerson, undeclared freshman. “The gift of knowing someone feels special for being thought of and the happiness that they get when they unwrap that paper to find something they never expected.”

This season, the aspiration is that students and faculty alike can keep in mind that a little can go a long way.

By spending only a couple dollars, you can give hope to one of the nearly 20,000 Topeka children in need of a gift this Christmas.