ECU launches holiday drive

To help local needy families have a happier holiday, East Carolina University’s Business Services has launched its annual Holiday Drive.

Now in its 14th year, members of the ECU community will donate toys, food and clothing to assist local charities during the holiday season.

“There are a number of other wonderful holiday projects being held at ECU, such as the WZMB student radio station’s food and teddy bear drive. Our holiday project is just another way to get involved,” said Leslie Craigle with ECU’s Business Services Marketing Department. “When all these efforts are combined, it’s great to see the impact ECU is able to make in the community.”

ECU departments interested in sponsoring a family, a child, or an adult in a local rest home can be matched up through Pitt County Social Services. Departments can also put a “general collection” box in their own lobbies, or hold canned food drives, or collect money to buy a bicycle and helmet for a child, Craigle said.

Collection boxes are in place around campus through Dec. 12 to accept donations of toys, food, warm clothing and household supply items. These donations will be given to charitable agencies to benefit the people of Pitt County.

The collected items will be donated to: Pitt County Social Services Children’s Protective Services Unit, The REAL Crisis Center, New Directions Family Violence Shelter, Flynn Christian Home, Pitt County Adult Services, and the N.C. Food Bank.

For more information and for collection box locations, visit: http://www.ecu.edu/services/HolidayDrive.cfm.

-by Leslie Craigle