This holiday season Delta Chi fraternity is hosting its second Toys for Tots charity drive in partnership with the Coffee House.
Toys for Tots is a charity event in which people donate old and new toys during the holiday season, which are given to children throughout the community facing economic difficulties.
“For most families, Christmas is a very important time of the year to get together, and of course for kids, the presents are a big deal,” said Tanner Bixler, a member of the Delta Chi fraternity. “We want to make sure underprivileged children have a great Christmas, by donating a toy.”
Delta Chi will not hand out the toys themselves, but will give them to the U.S. Marine Corps, which distributes them in order to respect the privacy of the families.
The fundraiser began Nov. 10, and will continue until Dec. 5. Donations can be dropped off by the piano in the Coho.
For every toy a person donates, they will receive a raffle ticket for a drawing on Dec. 5 to win Coho gift certificates.
“We are not looking for expensive toys, just something small for children ages 3 to 12,” said Cecilia Landholt, the Coho special events intern.
Adam Silva, the philanthropy chair to Delta Chi, said he recognized this as a great opportunity to help local kids. Delta Chi is also working with the Yolo County and Woodland branches of Toys for Tots.
“We want to make the holidays special for as many kids as possible,” Silva said.
The Coho also aims to host special events throughout the school year, and have already featured one in which they celebrated their 40th anniversary. For the holidays, the Coho chose to have their first special holiday fundraiser, Landholt said.
“A holiday fundraiser would be good for the Coho, since they haven’t done fundraisers before,” Landholt said.
Delta Chi will also host a toy drive night on Dec. 2 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the fraternity house, located at 320 Parkway Circle. Attendees will be treated to cider as well as a visit from Santa.
“If you do not have the opportunity to drop off a toy at the Coho, this is a great place to meet other Greek organizations,” Bixler said.
CORY BULLIS can be reached at campus@theaggie.org.
