SUNY Broome rang in the holiday season with boxes, bags and balls galore during the annual Giving of the Toys.
For more than 20 years, this event has been one of SUNY Broome’s ways of getting ready for the holidays. Department, clubs and organizations from across campus join together to present gifts to Santa — the middleman for Toys for Tots. In the end, their gifts bring joy to children throughout Broome County.
“It’s a time when we as a community college show that we’re invested in the community,” reflected Student Activities Director Jason Boring, the event emcee.
The SUNY Broome Chorale kicked off the program with holiday tunes, and the college’s ASL Club shared Christmas carols in sign language. An ugly sweater contest celebrated the kitschy and bright, and event-goers partook of free hot chocolate and doughnuts, and a “magic mirror” that allowed them to create their own Christmas image.
Gifts include sleds, games, toy trucks, bicycles and more. The college’s athletic teams donated the tools of the trade, while the Engineering Science Club sent cars, engines and robots by way of Professor Robert Lofthouse. Admissions supplied a giant unicorn, the nursing student association the game Operation, and music students toy instruments — the louder, the better.
The highlight, as always, was BC Center, whose young Hornets shyly brought their gifts to the big man in red. In the end, the Baldwin Gym stage filled end to end with gifts, which will bring many children in our community holiday cheer.
