The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families and the Gulf Park Health Center are teaming up with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve to collect toys for local children through the annual Toys for Tots campaign on the Hattiesburg and Long Beach campuses.
New, unwrapped toy donations are being accepted now at several designated drop-off locations across both campuses. Donors will help provide Christmas gifts for hundreds of families in Lamar, Forrest and Harrison counties this holiday season.
Donation boxes are available at the following campus sites:
- Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families
- Southern Miss Wellness Center
- The Fresh Food Company in the Thad Cochran Center
- Graduate School Department, J.B. George Hall
- Gulf Park Health Center
Toys will be collected through early December. Pickups are scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the Gulf Park campus and Friday, Dec. 5, on the Hattiesburg campus by noon.
Connie Richardson, nurse practitioner at the Gulf Park Health Center, emphasized the toy drive’s positive impact.
“The Toys for Tots Drive is important to Southern Miss and Gulf Park Health Center because it is a wonderful way to bring hope to children who may otherwise go without during the holiday season,” said Richardson. “Even a simple gift can make a big impact and show children that they are valued and loved. Giving back in this way is about spreading kindness, joy and holiday magic to families on the Mississippi Gulf Coast who could use a helping hand.”
David “Red” Rayborn, veterans affairs certification specialist at Southern Miss, has participated in the campaign for three years.
“Most of the kids who participate in this program would not have a Christmas without our help, and that really warms my heart,” said Rayborn.
This year, the Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families is also partnering with the Oseola McCarty Youth Development Center to expand toy collection efforts. Together, these initiatives aim to ensure more local children have gifts to open this holiday season.