by Julia Tilley, WTOP10-TV

Christmas trees have appeared around campus over the past few weeks as a way to get students involved in this year’s annual SUNY Oswego Toy Drive. The charity is oordinated by Casey Walpole. These Christmas trees are decorated with paper ornaments that have children’s ages’, names and holiday wish lists. The hope is that students pick an ornament and purchase and donate the toys the child asked for.

This event is in conjunction with the Department of Social Services, Catholic Charities, United Way, St. Mary’s Church, and the Nelson Law Office in Oswego. Last year, the Oswego community was able to help out 600 families and 1600 children, providing them with toys to unwrap on Christmas. The goal is to give each child in the community at least three toys and “stocking stuffers,” regardless of family income or economic status. “If these toys were not available, many children would go without, and after all that part of Christmas is for the kids,” said Walpole.

Participation in this year’s toy drive is simple: select an ornament off the tree, buy the desired toys, and hand them in (unwrapped) to Lesley Wallace or Stephanie Guynn in The Compass (145 Marano Campus Center) or to Angela Galvin in 151 Marano Campus Center by December 7  or December 14.

In a time of giving, this is a simple and sweet way to make a difference in the community, and in particular, make a difference in a child’s Christmas.