The CSU community stepped up in a big way to put smiles on kids’ faces this holiday season, donating 795 toys in the inaugural campus Toys for Tots campaign.

Led by first-year CSU employee Janet Mabon, volunteers collected the toys before Christmas from 31 campus sites. The toys were then given to Larimer County Toys for Tots, with an assist from Santa Cops, for distribution to area kids in foster homes and safe houses.

‘Huge success’

“I would like to thank all those who donated toys – the drive was a huge success!” said Mabon, who started working at CSU on Oct. 1. “CSU is a very special place…it was an honor and my pleasure to coordinate this event, and I’m looking forward to many more successful toy drives in the future.”

Mabon was assisted by her daughter, Jessie, and husband, Ross, with collecting toys. CSU’s Facilities Management donated a collection truck and gas to gather the toys, and Chad Alexander from the CSU Veterinarian Hospital’s Facilities team drove the truck and helped gather toys. Mabon said the Walmart at I-25 and Harmony Road also donated two boxes of toys to the project.

If you would like to host a donation box for next year’s drive, e-mail Mabon at janet.mabon@colostate.edu.