The Quadrangle

Issue date: 2/8/06 Section: Features

Media Credit: Photo courtesy of Mary Huvane LaSallian Collegians bring Christmas cheer to the children of St. Jerome's parish in the South Bronx

This past fall semester, the LaSallian Collegians, under the guiding wing of Lois Harr, gathered together in an effort to plant smiles on children's faces. On December 10, 2005, this heart-felt volunteer organization of Manhattan College gladly gave generously of their time in the mission of distributing toys to the children of Saint Jerome's parish located in the South Bronx. The toy drive is an annual tradition sparked by Manhattan College alum, Mike Brady. This past year's LaSallian Collegians were privileged to carry on his legacy of caring for the surrounding community.

In the weeks leading up to the toy drive, members of the LaSallian Collegians mapped out preparation plans for this service event. The LaSallian Volunteers were busy with implementing into action their fundraising events as well as planning dates for shopping expeditions. The members successfully raised monetary funds by selling hot chocolate in the hallway of Thomas Hall. They also took care to inform the campus community of the toy drive. The LaSallian Collegians also received a positive response from some faculty members who donated to this memorable event.

In addition to the fundraising events, the LaSallian Collegians shopped for an array of toys that ranged from stuffed Elmo's for the very young children to Trivial Pursuit for the older children in stores such as Toys 'R' Us, KB Toys, and Target. These students moved through the aisles of the toy stores with a vibrant flow of energy that was generated by the goal of making Christmas a little brighter for children who would otherwise have no toys to open on Christmas day. Keeping this paramount goal in mind, the LaSallian Collegians wanted to maximize the amount of gifts to be given. Since they were on a tight financial budget, they kept their eyes peeled for sales as they traveled throughout the various toy stores.

After all of this fun-filled planning and preparation, on Saturday, December 10, the members of the LaSallian Collegians piled into Manhattan College vans. Tom McCarthy, transformed into Santa Claus, and Jen Flinn took on the role of his wife Mrs. Claus, while the other members magically became elves, the LaSallian Collegians sojourned to Saint Jerome's parish.

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