Through a pair of toy drives, you can help kids have a happier holiday season no matter where you are.

Mail Services Toy Drive

The familiar blue bins for toy donations will return to the Davis campus Dec. 1-11. To help brighten the day of a Yolo County child, just deposit a new, unwrapped toy in one of the bins.

Mail Services is once again organizing the toy drive, in partnership with the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.

Donations can either be dropped in the blue bins around campus or in your department’s outgoing mail bin.

Aggie Surplus will also accept donations during its in-person shopping days on Dec. 4 and 5. Anyone who brings in one toy will receive 10% off their purchase, while five toys will net a 25% discount. The maximum discount amount is $100.

Virtual toy drive for children’s hospital patients

Since many pediatric patients will be spending the holidays in the hospital, why not bring the celebration to them? Now through Dec. 24, you can “shop” from the comfort of home, providing gifts for UC Davis Children’s Hospital kids and families through the Virtual Holiday Toy Drive.

Now in its seventh year, this fundraising event gives donors the opportunity to purchase a specific item from the wish list or make a donation toward a gift purchase.

Donations will provide gifts for pediatric patients at UC Davis Children’s Hospital, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center and the UC Davis MIND Institute this holiday season. In addition, the Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department will have funds to purchase toys and games throughout the year for patients’ birthdays, other celebrations and milestones. Donations will also be used to stock hospital playrooms.

“We are so grateful for the generosity of our community,” said Diana Sundberg, manager of the UC Davis Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department. “Every donation helps bring joy and comfort to children and families spending their holidays in the hospital. Your support truly makes the season brighter for our patients.”

The toy drive runs through Dec. 24. To donate, please visit the Virtual Holiday Toy Drive website.

— Tricia Tomiyoshi