Toy drive overflows with success

By Josh Brink
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer

The Associated Students of Social Work (ASSW) held their third annual Coat and Toy Drive Nov. 29 through Dec. 10 at Cal State Long Beach.

The drive gathered clothing and toys for disadvantaged families in the community. Items could be new or used, but had to be clean and in good condition.

Several drop locations were placed outside of various departments around campus so students could contribute to the drive.

"All of our six locations were overflowing with toys and coats," said CSULB senior Amber Vera, who is treasurer for ASSW and chair of the Coat and Toy Drive. "It's awesome to see."

Contributions were varied. Stuffed animals, old sweatshirts, jackets and board games were among the items donated.

"I love to be able to help out, especially when it's my community," said freshman Roberto Medina. "Any opportunity that I can provide for my community I'll jump at."

Aside from personal contributions by students and faculty, Associated Students Inc. (ASI) provided ASSW with a grant to buy clothing and toys.

Julie O'Donnell, founder of CORAL (Communities Organizing Resources to Advance Learning) and faculty at CSULB, created this grant.

ASSW wrote letters to clothing and toy companies asking to receive discounts on items so that more could be provided for families. The companies included Toys "R" Us, Target, Costco and Burlington Coat Factory. These companies were focused on because of their location and involvement in the community.

"They belong to the community," Vera said. "So they should help out."

All toys and clothing will be gathered and distributed to agencies that focus on building community. The agencies will then distribute the items to their network of families in need. The clothes and toys will be given out the week before Christmas. The community-based organizations involved include Youth Opportunities Unlimited, Inc. (YOU), Project B.R.U.C.E. (building, reality, unity, caring and empowerment) and CORAL. Each organization focuses on various aspects of people in the community, ranging from addiction and substance abuse to career building and planning.

YOU is an organization that focuses on the strengths of its clients and utilizing those strengths in career building and Project B.R.U.C.E. concentrates on HIV prevention and testing.

"This drive is a way that I can give back to the community," said Laticia Garibay, a senior at CSULB and director of public relations for ASSW. "You don't hear much about us, but we do so much for our community."

The Coat and Toy Drive may be over, but ASSW plans on having more drives during the spring semester. ASSW is always looking for more people to help out.

"It makes me feel fulfilled, satisfied and overjoyed that I can provide the coats and things to keep people warm," Vera said.

If you would like to volunteer time, please call (310) 370-3127.