Little Raiders ornaments like this one are hanging on two trees on campus supporting the 2021 “Little Raiders” gift-giving campaign. Secret Santas can pick an ornament to “adopt” a local child’s Christmas wish list. (MTSU file photo by Jimmy Hart)

Secret Santas are once again needed for this year’s MTSU Little Raiders gift-giving campaign.

In a collaborative effort to assist local children in need this holiday season, the University Police Department is partnering with MTSU Campus Recreation, Student Health Services and the Nutrition and Dietetics Association to sponsor the 2021 MTSU Little Raiders gift-giving campaign.

From now through Friday, Dec. 3, Christmas trees will be on display at the two locations on campus listed below.

“It’s always special seeing the smiles on the children’s faces and the gratitude of their parents or guardians during this special time of the year,” said COPS Sgt. Vergena Forbes, one of the campaign coordinators. “We’re asking our True Blue community to step up like always to lend a helping hand to those in need.”

Trees will be decorated with tag ornaments listing the age, gender, clothing size and wish list of a child in need. Those wishing to participate are asked to register as a “Secret Santa” and choose a numbered tag from a tree at one of the designated campus locations.

This year’s Christmas tree locations will be: 

• University Police Department, 1412 E. Main St. (Open 24 hours)

• Student Health Services, 1848 Blue Raider Drive (Open during normal office hours)

All True Blue Secret Santas participating in this year’s campaign are asked to drop off all gifts and donations at University Police by Friday, Dec. 3. 

Please remember that the University Police building is open 24 hours a day, so you many drop your gifts off anytime during or after normal office hours for the duration of the drop-off period.

Please contact the University Police Department’s COPS Sgt. Vergena Forbes, Master Patrol Officer Katelynn Erskine or Patrol Officer Hope Kerbo at 615-898-2424 with any questions about this year’s MTSU Little Raiders campaign.

— Jimmy Hart (Jimmy.Hart@mtsu.edu)