A Toy Story
Four More Days to Help Bring Joy to Children during this Holiday Season!
Plushies, Lego sets, dolls, board games, interactive books, puzzles, and headphones. And this is just what’s seen on top of the large boxes brimming with gifts for children, ages 1-18. Drop-off points for unwrapped new or gently used toys are at ASAP, W-Building, Office of New Student Engagement, A-214 and Office of Community Standards, L-419 now through Thursday, Dec. 11.
“The response from the QCC community has been great,” said Ajay Bhagwat, Vice President of the Caribbean Student Coalition (CSC), the student club sponsoring the Holiday Toy Drive. “We have four more days before we collect the boxes and head over to Jamaica Community Partnership-Rising Ground Family Shelter with our club advisors and other volunteers to get ready for the holiday party and to distribute toys to the children.” Ajay, a Business Management major, was President of the CSC last semester. He plans to graduate in spring 2026.
“Due to the overwhelming response from the college [since the launch began in early November] and our CSC students, we will also donate toys to the Stony Brook Children's Hospital toy drive led by Rita Ciardiello of the Bursars' Office,” said Belodine Jobe-Perry, CUNY Administrative Assistant, New Student Engagement, who is a CSC Club Adviser along with Sheldon Lennard, Academic Advisor, ASAP.
Ajay noted that the CSC is one of the most active student clubs on campus with about 80 members. “We want to keep the Caribbean culture on campus alive through student engagement. We host events and get everyone involved in activities and meaningful initiatives like the toy drive.”
The President of the CSC, Patrieca Richards Roman, agreed. “We are a learning club, one where we all come together, to make new friends and promote causes like this. It feels good to collect gifts for kids.” Patrieca, a Business Administration major, was secretary of the CSC last spring semester. She will graduate this month and march in the Commencement ceremony next spring.
“Creating a sense of community for students is so important,” added Belodine when describing New Student Engagement initiatives. “We provide support, share, and connect our students to the various resources the college has to offer.”
This is the third annual toy drive sponsored by the Caribbean Student Coalition. This year, for the first time, the toy drive has several co-sponsors, including the International Student Association, Technology & Gaming Club, Lambda Sigma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, SACNAS QCC Chapter, Male Resource Center, Art & Design, Department, Ally LGBTQ+ Club, and the CUNY Coalition for Students with Disabilities at QCC (CCSD@QCC).
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