December 17, 2021
Contact: Anissa Riley, Director of Foreign Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine
TUCVM’s Santa Claus and his helpers shared the Christmas spirit with the GWC students
on the last day of class, 16.12.
TUSKEGEE, Ala. – The family at Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine (TUCVM) has continued the tradition of bringing joy to students at George Washington Carver (GWC) Elementary School in Tuskegee, despite the pandemic. College officials served as Santa and his helpers on December 16 for TUCVM’s seventh annual Toy Drive for Tots.
“Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, we have had to switch the administration of the annual ‘Toy Drive for Tots’ to gift cards instead of real toys. Thanks to the dedication of our TUCVM family, however, the Toy Drive for Tots is now an ongoing, successful tradition at our college and is expected by the college’s faculty, staff and students, “said Dr. Ruby L. Perry, dean of the college.
During the final day of class on December 16 for the students at GWC Primary School in Tuskegee, TUCVM Santa and his helpers helped cheer up the holidays for 193 preschool and first graders enrolled at GWC by offering gift cards to each of the 11 classes at GWC.
With assistance from GWC Director Norman Williams, Jr., Asst. Headmistress Vishaka Brown and the teachers who represent one preschool class (teacher Laquita Cooks) and five kindergarten classes (teachers Wendy Reed-Williams, Letasha Dicks, Markeetia Johnson, Felecia Smith and Katrina Huguley) and five first graders (teachers) Audrey Menefee, Letisha Dicks, Ashley Sullins, Quanesha Powell, and A’Isha Shuford), Santa Claus, and his TUCVM helpers gave each student a $ 10 gift certificate that they could use to receive a toy of their choice.
TUCVM lecturers, staff and students were so generous that enough gift certificates were collected to also present the 42 GWC teachers and assistants with a US $ 10 gift card to thank them for their dedication to the children. This was another successful collaborative effort by the TUCVM family of faculty, staff, students, and administration to support the local community.
The teachers and administration of the George Washington Carver Elementary School were grateful that Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine continued its tradition of selecting students for the Toy Drive for Tots program.
“For us here at GWC, it’s so important to see that the community is interested. We are so proud to have partnerships with the Tuskegee community like Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine that go beyond the holidays, ”said Rector Williams.
The Toy Drive for Tots is an annual college tradition inspired by TUCVM students and the TUCVM administration. The event is supported by the active commitment of the faculty, staff and students of the university. Although things were done differently in the second year due to the pandemic, the deputy dean for academic affairs, Dr. Roslyn Casimir and Student Affairs Director Anthony McCloud supported the college’s efforts with the assistance of Dean Ruby L. Perry. The annual “Toy Drive for Tots” event is intended to help parents buy toys and school supplies for the holidays for the boys and girls of the GWC elementary school in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade.
“We applaud the efforts of all of our students, faculty, and staff who have demonstrated excellent teamwork to make this seventh annual charity event possible. The event was really special for all of us in college and we enjoyed seeing the excitement of the students as Santa shared the Christmas cheer while the gift cards were handed out to the students, “said Anthony McCloud, Student Affairs Director at TUCVM .
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