Hundreds of new toys made their way to children in Woodland this week thanks to UC Davis employees.

Mail Services’ annual Toys for Tots collection this month brought in 240 toys, an increase from the 215 collected last year. Donation barrels were placed around campus, and employees could drop donations in with their outgoing campus mail.

“I am overwhelmed and thankful for the generous nature of those in the UC Davis community,” said Jen Carmichael, general manager of Distribution Services, which also oversaw a food drive in October and November.

“I really enjoy and get behind the Food Drive and Toys for Tots campaigns,” she said. “They are designed in such a way that a small donation can make such a big difference when we all work together and do our part.”

The toys were distributed Friday (Dec. 18) by the Marine Corps League of Yolo County, which ran the local Toys for Tots program. The men’s basketball team held a separate toy drive at a game earlier this month.

Next year, Carmichael hopes the campus can bring in 300 toys.

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