Friday, Dec. 4, is the deadline for MTSU’s “Secret Santas” to drop off gifts for this year’s Little Raiders gift-giving campaign, an annual event that lends a helping hand to needy children and youths in the Blue Raider community during the holidays.

This tree inside the June Anderson Center for Women and Nontraditional Students on the third floor of the Student Union Building is one of three on campus supporting the Little Raiders gift-giving campaign. Secret Santas can pick an ornament to “adopt” a local child’s Christmas wish list. (MTSU photo by Jimmy Hart)

Members of the campus community have been able to “adopt” a Little Raider by choosing a numbered ornament from one or more of the three Christmas trees across campus.

The ornaments list a needy child’s age, gender, clothing size and wish list, allowing givers to pick out ideal gifts to help the youngsters and their families have a happier holiday.

This Little Raiders ornament is among those hanging on three trees across campus.

The MTSU Police Department, June Anderson Center for Women and Nontraditional Students and Campus Recreation Center partnered this year with the Golden Key Honor Society, Iota Mu Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and MT Lambda to sponsor the campaign.

The effort targets the children of low-income MTSU students as well as children whose parents are receiving assistance from the local Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program.

“Secret Santa” participants have picked an ornament from a tree at one of the following three locations and registered as a Santa at that location:

• MTSU University Police Department Lobby, 1412 E. Main St.
• June Anderson Center for Women and Nontraditional Students on the third floor of the Student Union, 1768 MTSU Blvd.
• MTSU Campus Recreation Center lobby, 1848 Blue Raider Drive.

Donated items should be dropped off at the University Police Department before 4:30 p.m. Friday.

For more information about the campaign, contact University Police Sgts. Vergena Forbes or David Smith at 615 898-2424.

— Jimmy Hart (jimmy.hart@mtsu.edu)

In this 2013 file photo, children inspect the gifts during the Little Raiders Christmas Party. (MTSU file photo)