By Elisabeth Costanzo Stewart
The SUNY Broome campus community was full of holiday cheer on Thursday, Dec.7, 2023 as over two hundred students, faculty, and staff gathered in the Baldwin Gym to share in the 27th Annual Giving of the Toys celebration. This yearly highlight of December unites the Community’s College during the common hour to kick off the holiday season by donating books and toys to the region’s children.
Guests were treated to gourmet donuts and hot chocolate while they listened to holiday classics and visited with fellow students and colleagues. Professor Peter Sicilian led SUNY Broome’s Chamber Singers in a performance of two holiday medleys in honor of Christmas and Hanukkah.
SUNY Broome’s Chamber Singers preformed two holiday medleys under the direction of Professor Peter Sicilian.
Photo Credit: Matt Ebbers
Dr. Nick Kocieniewski and Rae Palmer-Jones of SUNY Broome’s Student Activities Office co-emceed the event with the help of a very special guest, Santa Claus.
Just under 50 offices, departments, clubs, athletic teams, and campus organizations donated toys to Santa that will then be donated to Broome County’s Toys for Tots initiative.
Dr. Hawkins was delighted to be included in his first Giving of the Toys at SUNY Broome!
Photo Credit: Matt Ebbers
SUNY Broome alum, Christopher Marshall, of the Binghamton Police Department expressed his appreciation to all in attendance for supporting the Broome County Toys for Tots mission. Thanks to the abundant generosity of the members of our community, toys have been distributed to the children of Broome County ranging in age from one to ten years old via the Binghamton Police Department since 1962.
“As a SUNY Broome alum, the Giving of the Toys celebration is absolutely one of my favorites of the year,” Marshall said. “I want to thank you all for your kindness and support today. You have no idea how many families in our community will be so appreciative for these toys.”
If you were unable to attend SUNY Broome’s Giving of the Toys celebration and still want to support Broome County’s Toys for Tots, you can stop by the Toys for Tots drop off barrels at the Binghamton Police Department, Broome County Sheriff’s Office, Endicott Police Department, Johnson City Police Department, and the Vestal Police Department. Donations will be accepted until December 19, 2023.
View photos from the 2023 Giving of the Toys Celebration! Photo Credit: Matt Ebbers and Ashley Blackwell
Tags: Student Activities
