The Hand to Heart Campaign, a gift drive for the holidays, has begun at Binghamton University and will continue on campus into December.
During this drive, volunteers create gift bags filled with children’s toys which will benefit The Wyoming Conference Children’s Home, as well as the Salvation Army and other children in need.
The Wyoming Conference Children’s Home is a group that takes care of orphans and foster children ages five to 21. Any extra gifts they receive are used as birthday presents for the children. The Salvation Army gives aid to local citizens in need.
The National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) and Residential Life are running Hand to Heart and urging anyone to volunteer.
To participate, volunteers only need to get a bag and fill it with toys and gifts for children and young adults. Volunteers can create a bag for a child of a certain age and/or gender.
NRHH President Shmuel Bushwick encouraged participants to stay away from food items and battery-operated toys. Otherwise, “anything people want to give is accepted and appreciated,” he said.
On Dec. 6 and 7, volunteers will gather to sort the toys based on age and gender appropriateness. Volunteers from NRHH, Residential Life and Off Campus College Transport will be doing the sorting.
“We appreciate all the help we can get,” Bushwick said.
Those looking to volunteer can contact the NRHH to get involved in the sorting.
Residential Life coordinator Jean Pitely encouraged teamwork in preparing the bags.
“Binghamton has been so hard hit, so anything the University does to benefit the community is positive,” Pitely said.
The NRHH, a newer organization on campus which strives to recognize student leaders, has been organizing the drive for the last three to four years.
The last day to sign up in residence halls and offices to get a gift bag to fill was Nov. 9, but gifts will be accepted until Dec. 1. Participants can drop their gifts off in the Residential Life Office or in a residential hall.
Contact Shmuel Bushwick at sbushwi1@binghamton.edu for more information.