PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — Maryland Eastern Shore Athletics is proud to be part of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's (MEAC) and Southwestern Athletic Conference's (SWAC) partnership with Toys for Tots.  The school will officially be partnering with the organization to host a toy drive on campus.  There will be drop-off locations in both the William P. Hytche Athletic Center and the Student Services Center for children's toy donations for the holidays.  Students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members are encouraged to stop by during normal operation hours or during athletic events to make a donation of a new unwrapped toy suited for kids aged 0-14.
 
While the MEAC has made a contest out of it among conference schools, which ends December 1, the Hawks plan to collect toys until December 10, to maximize the amount of donations as much as possible. 
 
"This is a safe easy way for us to help our community," said Director of Athletics Keith Davidson.  "We support the MEAC and partnering with them on this is a no brainer, but more importantly, we can give back to the people around us who are in need.  I hope our alumni will bring new, unwrapped toys to Homecoming this weekend and that throughout the month our students, faculty and staff will take on this opportunity to help."
 
Reinforcing the historic rivalry between the two conferences, the MEAC and SWAC institution that collects the most toy donations will receive a block of free tickets for their students to attend the Cricket Celebration Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 18 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. Dubbed the "HBCU National Championship" game, the Cricket Celebration Bowl match-up annually features the MEAC and SWAC's respective champions. All toys collected by the schools will be donated to their local Toys for Tots chapter ahead of the holiday season.
 
"As we prepare for another memorable Cricket Celebration Bowl, we are thrilled to launch our inaugural Toy Drive Challenge in partnership with the SWAC," MEAC Commissioner Dr. Dennis E. Thomas said. "Providing our member institutions, students and fans an outlet for community-driven initiatives that will positively impact the lives of our youth and their parents is an important part of our mission. Given Toys for Tots' remarkable history, the Toy Drive Challenge will brighten the holidays for kids in our local markets and foster school spirit ahead of the highly anticipated Cricket Celebration Bowl."
 
About Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots, a 74-year national charitable program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, provides happiness, and hope to less fortunate children during each Christmas holiday season. The toys, books, and other gifts collected and distributed by our Marines and volunteers during the Christmas season offer these children recognition, confidence, and a positive memory for a lifetime. Toys for Tots also provides support year-round to less fortunate families experiencing challenges and exceptional circumstances, thus sending a message of hope beyond the holiday season. It is such experiences that help children become responsible citizens and caring members of their community. Last year, the Marine Toys for Tots Program fulfilled the holiday hopes and dreams of 7.4 million less fortunate children in over 800 communities nationwide. Since 1947, over 272 million children have been assisted. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not-for-profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps and the Department of Defense to provide fundraising and other necessary support for the annual Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. For more information, please visit www.toysfortots.org.