Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine hosts annual toy drive at George Washington Carver School

Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine hosts annual toy drive at George Washington Carver School

December 17, 2024

Contact: Anissa Riley,College of Veterinary Medicine

The Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine (TUCVM) sponsored the 10th Annual Toy Drive for Tots last week. TUCVM students, faculty and staff helped make the season a little merrier for the children in grades pre-kindergarten to first grade at George Washington Carver Elementary School in Tuskegee.

"As a vision kicked off originally by veterinary students several years ago and continuously supported by our dean, Dr. Ruby L. Perry, the 'Toy Drive for Tots' is now seen as an on-going tradition in our college and anticipated by the college's faculty, staff and students," said Chankia Berry, TUCVM's Veterinary Social Worker and Toy Drive Coordinator.

"This inspired vision by the Class of 2019 is now an annual celebration led by the succeeding first-year class," she said. "The first-year class also each year takes the responsibility of the holiday decorations in our college that encourages this festive time for all."

The efforts of the TUCVM students, faculty and staff demonstrated outstanding teamwork in making this 10th annual toy drive event possible and a huge success. Last year the college collected over 230 gifts and this year the total was surpassed with not only having the 229 toys needed but also again providing extra gifts for teachers to once again stock classroom treasure boxes.

To ensure all 229 students at Carver Elementary received a gift; TUCVM divided its efforts for the toy drive collection into three sections.

TUCVM's first year class (Class of 2028) took the lead with organizing the toy drive with the other veterinary students. They were also responsible for providing Santa and Santa's elves and worked with other students from the Classes of 2025, 2026, and 2027 to help make the drive a success. Several veterinary faculty and staff members also assisted as Santa's helpers to distribute the toys to the very excited students.

Principal Norman Williams, Jr., Asst. Principal Vishaka Uluwita-Brown and Counselor Taneshia Bryant helped with the toy drive organization at the school's end. The teachers and administration at George Washington Carver Elementary School said they appreciated that TUCVM continues this tradition in selecting their students to participate in the "Toy Drive for Tots" program.

The Carver Elementary teachers and assistants for pre-k through first grade that participated this year included the following: Pre-k - Sonia Crist, Almeshia Purter-Cattage, Laquita Cooks and Teara Arnold; kindergarten - Letasha Dix, Crystal Frazier, Wendy Reed-Williams, Tameka Wright and Katrina Hughley; and first grade - Kimela Coleman, Letisha Dix, Kimberly Curry, Quanesha Powell and Audrey Tarver. This was another successful joint effort between the students and the College of Veterinary Medicine administration to support the local community.

© 2024 Tuskegee University

Santa helpers at Vet Med Toy Drive at Carver Elementary School. Santa and helpers at Vet Med Toy Drive at Carver Elementary School. Santa with children at Vet Med Toy Drive at Carver Elementary School.

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