The SUNY Broome campus community was simply having a wonderful Christmastime on December 8, 2022 as they gathered in the Baldwin Gym to share in the 26th Annual Giving of the Toys celebration. This yearly highlight of December brings together hundreds of students and staff to celebrate the holiday season by donating books and toys to the children of the region.
Dr. Nick Wagner 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.
Guests munched on gourmet donuts and hot chocolate while they listened to holiday classics and visited with fellow students and colleagues. In addition to the presentation of the toys, there was an “Ugly Sweater” contest, a performance of the “Wonderful Christmas Medley” by SUNY Broome’s Chamber Singers, and a presentation from the ASL Club.
More than 35 offices, departments, clubs, athletic teams, and campus organizations donated toys to Santa that then will be shared with the Broome County’s Toys for Tots initiative.
The Brennan family has been donating toys together for over a decade.
Photo Credit: Sara Forbes
For the Brennan family, participating in the Giving of the Toys has been an annual tradition for the past decade. Daniel P. Brennan and his wife, Alison M. Sheridan-Brennan, are both professors in the chemistry department. They started donating presents during the Giving of the Toys celebration when their oldest daughter was a student at the B.C. Center. This year, they donated gifts with their youngest daughter, Clio. Clio happily handed off presents to the Student Assembly volunteers before quickly sharing her personal Christmas wish for a unicorn toothbrush. (Santa took note of the request.)
SUNY Broome alum, Christopher Marshall, of the Binghamton Police Department thanked everyone in attendance for supporting the Broome County Toys for Tots mission. Thanks to the kindness of donations from members of the community, toys have been distributed to the children of Broome County via the Binghamton Police Department since 1962.
At the conclusion of the celebration, guests were invited to visit with Santa and take photos in a giant snow globe. SUNY Broome’s President, Dr. Kevin E. Drumm didn’t hesitate to experience life inside the winter wonderland with Student Assembly President, Ethan Roselle.
The presidents enjoying some time in the snow globe. Photo Credit: Matt Ebbers
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 any local police agency with your donation or stop by Broome County’s Toys for Tots headquarters in the Oakdale Mall.
View the Giving of the Toys 2022 album!
Tags: Student Activities
