TU's Holiday Giveback Guide

Clothing drives, toy donations and handmade gifts show Towson University’s culture of philanthropy.

By Kyle Hobstetter on December 4, 2017

Towson University students have been participating in "Project Cozy" since 2014. “Project Cozy”sees students knit handmade blankets, which will then be delivered to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at GBMC later in the month.
Towson University students have been participating in "Project Cozy" since 2014. “Project Cozy”sees students knit handmade blankets, which will then be delivered to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at GBMC later in the month.

With the holiday season in full swing, many are trying to find the perfect gift for their loved ones. 

But in this time of giving, Towson University students are looking beyond their families and friends to help those in need. There are plenty of opportunities on campus to give back and have a little fun as well.

“I do a lot of community service around here and back home,” said Andrea Ledbetter, a communications studies junior from Schenectady, New York. “I feel like as college students we get a little bit of a bad rep of just worrying about ourselves and school. We continue to show we worry more about school; we also worry about our community.”  

Here are a few ways that TU students have, and can, give back before the Holiday break: 

TU Holiday Event

Friday, December 8 at 8 p.m. | University Union

The University Union is hosting the annual TU Holiday event — Towson University’s campus-wide celebration of all major holidays for students, faculty and staff of all faiths and non-faiths. The event is sponsored by the Office of Student Activities and the Student Government Association. 

It focuses on educational speeches by student organization leaders about the significance of the major holidays they celebrate and a host of crafts, hot chocolate, student group performances and philanthropic activities.

The event also hosts the annual “Project Cozy” event, which sees students knit handmade blankets, which will then be delivered to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at GMBC later in the month.

Towson University Stuff-A-Bus

December 4-14 | Outside Enrollment Services Building

The Towson University Military and Veterans Center continues its Stuff-a-Bus tradition. The center teams up with Toys for Tots to help spread some holiday cheer to local children in need.

The TU community can donate a new, unwrapped toy to the bus, located on Osler Drive, with pick up times from 7-10 a.m., 12-1 p.m. and 3-6 p.m. There are also donation boxes around campus.

There will also be a Toys For Tots benefit concert on Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. Those who would like to attend can receive free admittance by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to donate.

TUPD’s 8th Annual Blanket Drive

November 20 through December 19

For the past seven holiday seasons, the Towson University Police Department[BROKEN LINK] has worked with St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore to collect new or gently used blankets and sheets for the homeless at Beans and Bread. St. Vincent de Paul is a leading provider of community services to people suffering from the effects of hunger, homelessness and poverty in Baltimore.

St. Vincent de Paul will accept any size gently used blankets, sheets, towels, coats, hats and gloves for their Beans and Bread shelter. However, they especially need new twin XL blankets/sheets, towels, washcloths, and toiletries for Sarah’s Hope, their 24-hour emergency shelter and provider of other support services for homeless women and children.

TUPD will be collecting these items until December 19. Students can donate items at TUPD’s Community Outreach offices, located on the second floor of the University Union, Room 200f, and the West Village Commons, Room 201.

CBE “Stocking Filler Drive”

Donations are due to Stephens Hall 301j by Thursday, December 7

This year for the holidays, the College of Business & Economics will be participating in a “Stocking Filler Drive” for the United Way of Central Maryland. The organization is in need of small items for stockings (stickers, Play-Doh, small stuffed animals, Hot Wheels or Matchbox cars, coloring books, bubbles, crayons or markers, pencils, flashcards and hats). 

These items will be used to help make the holidays happier for children who are a part of their Family Stability Program. Their goal is to make stockings for the 850+ children who are in this program.

Honors Helping Hands Scarf Making

For or the past few years the Honors Helping Hands (the service committee of the Honors College Leadership Council) has gotten together to make scarves to donate for children affected by Sickle Cell diseases. 

The scarves are made by the Towson University Honors College students here on campus, then they are given out at the Johns Hopkins Hospital holiday party for the children. This year’s party takes place on December 19 at Johns Hopkins Hospital and will feature several TU Honors College students sharing their work.

TU in Northeastern Maryland Gives Back

Interns in the Integrated Early Childhood and Special Education department at Towson University in Northeastern Maryland have given back all semester by volunteering at the Anna’s House Children’s Center.

Anna's House is a homeless shelter and transitional home for women and children in Harford County. During the volunteer hours, the moms attend life skills classes while the children—mostly infants and toddlers—engage in activities. 

The interns have also planned a Christmas event on December 18 for the children of Anna's House. Each intern is donating $20 to purchase presents for each of the children, and Santa will come to deliver the goodies. 

Food Insecurity Fund and FoodShare Pantry

This past year, Towson University has started two initiatives to address food insecurity on campus. Food insecurity is defined as the state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.

The TU Food Insecurity Support Fund provides immediate financial assistance to TU students who are deemed to have food insecurities. To protect the students’ anonymity, the funds are simply electronically deposited to their OneCards when they have demonstrated need. As soon as the funds are deposited, they can purchase a meal at one of TU's dining halls.

FoodShare was created to address the needs of students, faculty, and staff who are experiencing food insecurity. In collaboration with the Catholic Campus Ministry, The Table: a Lutheran Episcopal ministry, the Office of Sustainability and the Division of Student Affairs, FoodShare is open on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon and Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. It is located at the Newman Center adjacent to campus at 7909 York Road. Visitors need only to provide TU ID and fill out an intake form. TU students, faculty, and staff will be able to receive 10 items per week during the semester when Towson University is in session.

If you would like to join or donate to FoodShare, or to apply for food insecurity funds, please contact Christina Olstad at 410-704-3921 or by email.