Mustang Holiday Gift Drive gives back to local community
Over 500 gifts were given back to those in need in the community through the Mustang Holiday Gift Drive from Nov 4. to Dec. 5.
Popular gifts throughout the years included Barbie, L.O.L. Surprise! dolls and clothing, according to the Supportive Services Manager for the Housing Authority of SLO, Traci Walker.
“Someone gifted a child a razor scooter with a helmet and rain boots,” Walker said. “I mean, talk about going above and beyond.”
Roxi Selck, program manager for the Department of Social Services, said there were a lot of awesome teen-focused gifts that were provided.
“Stanley water bottles, Owalas and backpacks, bluetooth speakers, makeup,” Selck said. “College kids know what college kids want.”
Students could donate directly to the drive with money or visit one of three giving towers on campus to find a gift tag to shop for items: One at the University Union, one at the Recreation Center and one in Building 52. Gifts were turned in to the Center for Service in Action office in the Sierra Madre Community Center.
“The gift drive is geared towards providing gifts for children and teens during the holidays who might not be able to afford them or whose parents or supporters might not be able to afford them,” said Emma Haley, coordinator for the Cal Poly Center for Service in Action. “Very generous spirit in the community this year.”
For the Department of Social Services, this drive helped support their program, Operation Santa. Selck predicted it will serve close to 3,000 people this year including children, disabled adults and seniors.
“There’s lots of different awesome teen-focused gifts that are provided, like Stanley water bottles, Owalas and backpacks, bluetooth speakers, makeup,” Selck said. “College kids know what college kids want.”
Christy Lounder, program review specialist for the Department of Social Services, said they also receive donations through coat drives, the program Seasons of Hope and the Investing in Kindness through the SLO Credit Union.
“I see the community stepping up in a really big way this year,” Lounder said.
Supportive Services Manager for the Housing Authority of SLO, Traci Walker, said the gift list they gave Cal Poly to fulfill is the largest they have put out. Walker said each child was asked to give suggestions on what gifts they wanted.
Center for Service in Action at Cal Poly partnered with the San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services, the Housing Authority of the City of San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly Students with Dependents Program to host the drive.
