Eagles Come Together to Support “Thanks for Giving Tuesday”

Eastern Washington University students, faculty and staff are brightening the holidays for local families and children by donating toys, school supplies and even food. The toy drive, in support of the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots, is being extended until Wednesday, Dec. 21.  Eagles can drop off donations at the Veterans Resource Center (VRC), in 122 Showalter Hall.

“Thanks to the campus community for the tremendous support in donating to Toys for Tots. The VRC staff gathered over two truckloads of toys and delivered them to the Marine Corps’ donation center,” says Dave Millet, director of the VRC.

Just a week prior, a team from EWU’s Alumni Relations, ROTC, Education and Admissions offices ramped up the holiday cheer at Westwood Middle School with a delivery of school supplies and a visit from Swoop.

The school supply drive, held in partnership with Communities in Schools of Spokane County, a nonprofit that provides support for students who need additional resources to succeed academically, was among several ‘Thanks-for-Giving Tuesday’ service projects.

Another drive, in partnership with Second Harvest Inland Northwest, raised 250 pounds of shelf-stable items that were distributed to the EWU Food Pantry, the Cheney Food Bank and Feed Cheney. (A big shout out to Michelle Schultz for assisting with the PUB collection site for food drive. The PUB was the most supported donation site!)

Further efforts to show appreciation included an EWU thank-a-thon, where EWU ambassadors phoned people who’ve made gifts to the university to thank them for their support and extend best wishes for the happiest of holidays. Some 12,000 calls were made to thank the people who make a difference at Eastern.

A big thank you to everyone who participated in these drives and to the students and faculty who continue to generously give their time to volunteer for projects to help the campus and larger Spokane County community.