Hugh
Kellenberger Chancellor/ Student Development Beat
Jacque Lenz | The Appalachian
Heather M. Jones, a graduate
student in Student Development, shows off toys collected for the
toy drive.
Students, faculty
and staff wishing to spread some holiday cheer and good fortune
should look toward the Women’s Center of Appalachian State
University.
The Women’s Center is currently sponsoring
a toy and money drive, running until the end of the fall semester.
The drive is for Opposing Abuse with Service
Information Shelter (O.A.S.I.S.) and specifically the children of
the battered women’s shelter, said Gillian A. Farquhar, member
of the Women’s Center, Friday.
Donations of either toys or money can be made
to the Women’s Center on the first floor of W.H. Plemmons Student
Union.
The drive was started in
October as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Farquhar said.
From Oct. 29-31 the group held a contact table
in the student union to try to bring in toys and money.
All the money raised, $40 so far, will be used
to buy inexpensive toys, Farquhar said. “Quite a few”
toys have also been donated.
The group will be traveling to Wal-Mart on Friday
to buy the toys. Donations of money will still be accepted after
that date, Farquhar said.
O.A.S.I.S. has asked the toys be geared toward
children 4 to 12 years old, with an emphasis on older children.
Also, all toys should be new and non-violent.
Farquhar suggested things such as teddy bears,
educational toys like books or board games, or anything generally
non-violent. Actions figures, such as Harry Potter toys, are also
acceptable.
“Obviously, no violent video games, violent
board games or toy guns,” Farquhar said.
O.A.S.I.S. told the Women’s Center this
drive would be the best thing they could do as part of Domestic
Violence and Awareness Month.
“If one group deserves a good Christmas,
it’s these kids,” Farquhar said. “I couldn’t
imagine going through what these kids have.”
The Women’s Center has worked closely with
O.A.S.I.S. on several other occasions, Farquhar said.
