Contact: Anissa Riley, College of Veterinary Medicine
Now a tradition for over a decade, the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine (TUCVM) sponsored the 11
th Annual TUCVM Toy Drive last week for the children at George Washington Carver Elementary School in Tuskegee. TUCVM students, faculty and staff helped make the season a little merrier for the 247 children in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade.
“This inspired vision of the ‘TUCVM Toy Drive’ originally started by veterinary students several years ago and supported by the Office of the Dean and the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, is now seen as an on-going holiday tradition in our college and anticipated by the college’s faculty, staff and students,” said Chankia Berry, TUCVM’s Veterinary Social Worker and Toy Drive Coordinator.
“The succeeding first-year class each year takes the lead in promoting the annual toy drive and the responsibility of the holiday decorations in our college that encourages this festive time and spirit of giving for all,” she said.
Teamwork by TUCVM students, faculty and staff made this year’s annual toy drive event a huge success. TUCVM’s first year class (Class of 2029) took the lead with organizing the toy drive with the other veterinary students. They also assisted as gift wrappers, confirmed Santa and his elves and worked with other students from the Classes of 2026, 2027, and 2028 to help make the drive a success. Several veterinary faculty and staff members also assisted as Santa's helpers to distribute the toys to the excited students.
GWC Counselor Teneshia Bryant helped with the toy drive organization at the school’s end with the support of Principal Norman Williams, Jr. and Asst. Principal Vishaka Uluwita-Brown. The teachers and administration at Carver Elementary School appreciate that TUCVM continues this tradition in selecting their students to participate in the Annual TUCVM Toy Drive.
The Carver Elementary teachers and assistants who participated this year included the following: Pre-k – Latoya Lockhart, Teara Arnold, Danielle Carter, and Almeshia Cattage; kindergarten – Letasha Dix, Crystal Frazier, Laquita Cooks, Katrina Huguley, and Tameka Wright; and first grade – Kimberely Richardson, Audrey Menefee, Letisha Dix, Kimela Coleman, and Belinda Ezell.
“This was another successful joint effort between the students and the College of Veterinary Medicine administration to support the local community. Thanks to the leading Class of 2029 and the college’s other students, faculty and staff for coming together again to make the toy drive a success. Our students who served as Santa and Santa’s elves also enjoyed the event and seeing the children get so excited in anticipation of their wrapped gift. This event is truly special as well to all of us in the College of Veterinary Medicine,” said Dr. Ebony Gilbreath, dean of the college.
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