It's the holiday spirit: Donate to UTSA food, clothing, blanket and toy drives

Photo from Apartment Therapy

By Tim Brownlee
Associate Director of Internal Communications

(Nov. 27, 2012) -- In keeping with the spirit of giving, there are many ways UTSA community members can share with people who are less fortunate. Offices and organizations across the UTSA community are conducting toy, blanket, clothing, blanket and food drives for the needy during the holiday season.

The list below is in chronological order by the final day of each drive.

If your department or group is sponsoring a gift drive, it can be added to the list below. Email details with a contact name, phone number and the last day of collection to news@utsa.edu.

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UTSA gift collections for the needy

>> Coat and blanket drive for foster youth: Through Dec. 1, the Bank of America Child and Adolescent Policy Research Institute (CAPRI) will sponsor the "If You Don't Wear it, Share It," coat and blanket drive benefitting foster youth from BCFS Health and Human Services and Child Advocates of San Antonio (CASA). Read details on UTSA Today.

>> Toy Day at Institute of Texan Cultures: Kick off the holiday season from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 1 at the Institute of Texan Cultures "Toy Day" and support San Antonio children in need. Children age 12 and under will receive free admission to the museum when they bring a new, unwrapped toy for the San Antonio Fire Department toy drive. Enjoy cartoons in the Dome Theater, craft stations around the exhibit floor, story time and more. Explore a fire truck and ambulance, and talk with firefighters about their jobs and staying safe during the holiday season.

>> Food drive for San Antonio Food Bank: At the President's Holiday Breakfast from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 4 in the University Center Ballroom (1.104) on the Main Campus, faculty, staff and student leaders can donate nonperishable food items to the UTSA Holiday Food Drive benefiting the San Antonio Food Bank. Boxed and canned goods can be dropped off at the breakfast; however, please do not bring items in glass containers. Read details on UTSA Today.

>> Food drive for San Antonio Food Bank: As part of their yearly service project, the Undergraduate Advising community is doing a "Fill the Trailer Food Drive" for the San Antonio Food Bank through Dec. 11. You can drop off food items at any of the Undergraduate Advising Centers or the blue trailer at Sombrilla Plaza on the Main Campus. Call 210-458-4302 and someone will come to your office to pick up canned or boxed food items.

>> Food drive for San Antonio Food Bank: The Office of Human Resources is collecting nonperishable food items and monetary donations for the San Antonio Food Bank through Dec. 14. Donations can be dropped off at the HR lobby at University Heights, Suite 500. To show appreciation for the gifts, each donor will receive a ticket for a chance to win a UTSA-themed holiday gift basket (including an orange and blue fleece blanket). The winner will be contacted via phone on Monday, Dec. 17. For more information, contact Claudia White at 210-458-6952.

>> Food drive for San Antonio Food Bank: The College of Business is conducting a food drive for the San Antonio Food Bank. Canned or boxed food items will be accepted through Dec. 17 in the Office of the Dean, Business Building Room 4.01.02, Main Campus. For more information, contact Claudia Dawdy at 210-458-4313.

>> Toys for Tots: The Office of the Dean of the College of Liberal and Fine Arts will collect for Toys for Tots this holiday season. They will accept toys through Dec. 18 in McKinney Humanities Building Suite 4.01.23 on the Main Campus. For more information, contact Leigh Owen at 210-458-4290.

>> Toys for Tots: The UTSA Center for Archaeological Research is coordinating its annual Toys for Tots drive on the Main and Downtown campuses. Donations will be picked up at noon, Wednesday, Dec. 19 and delivered to the Marine Corps Reserve for distribution in Bexar County to those in need. Items to be donated must be new, unwrapped toys or new, unwrapped gift items for teens. There are two new locations this year, one each at the Downtown and Main campuses. Donation locations are:

• Downtown Campus mailroom, Durango Building Room 0.106
• Main Campus mailroom, Multidisciplinary Studies Building Room 1.01.22
• Office of the Registrar, John Peace Library Room 1.01.14
• Center for Archaeological Research Room 1.00.04, West Campus
• Department of Anthropology, McKinney Humanities Building Room 4.03.38
• Office of the Senior Associate Vice President for Research, North Paseo Building Room 2.116A
• University Heights breakroom

For more information on the toy drive, contact the Center for Archaeological Research at 210-458-4378. For more information on Toys for Tots, visit www.toysfortots.org.

>> Sock drive for The Children's Shelter: The UTSA University College is collecting socks for The Children's Shelter. Decorate their tree with socks in North Paseo Building Room 2.210 on the Main Campus. Socks will be accepted through Dec. 20. Last year, nearly 300 pairs of socks were collected. This is the 11th year of the sock drive. For more information, contact Linda Mahoney at 210-458-5190.

>> Clothing drive for The Children's Shelter: The UTSA Office of the Vice Provost for Accountability and Institutional Effectiveness is collecting clothing items for The Children's Shelter. Take items to North Paseo Building Room 2.204 on the Main Campus. Items will be accepted through Dec. 20. Items accepted include underwear, diapers, pull-ups, baby wipes, towels, washcloths, hairbrushes, barrettes and bows. Bring new items in the original package; no wrapping is necessary. View a list of items needed most. For more information, call 210-458-4706.