MTSU Little Raiders campaign seeks Secret Santas to bring cheer to area children

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University is once again showing its True Blue holiday spirit by helping neighbors in need with the return of its Little Raider’s Gift-Giving Campaign.

From now through Monday, Dec. 2, Christmas trees will be on display at three locations on campus 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” by choosing a numbered tag from a tree at one of the designated campus locations. Almost 50 children will be supported by this year’s campaign.

MTSU Police Sgt. Vergena Forbes — Sgt. Vergena Forbes

“These families are extremely grateful for the generosity shown each year by our campus community, and the smiles on those young faces are priceless when accepting those gifts,” said MTSU Police Sgt. Vergena Forbes. “So we welcome the participation for those who are able to give a helping hand.”

In addition to MTSU student parents, families receiving government assistance identified through a local daycare center will also benefit from this year’s campaign. In addition, the campaign will support five orphans whose mother died suddenly this summer, with those ornaments specially marked. Forbes said the children were added after she was informed of the situation by another university employee.

Sponsors for the 2024 MTSU Little Raiders Gift-Giving Campaign include the University Police Department, MTSU Campus Recreation, Student Health Services, the June Anderson Center for Woman and Nontraditional Students and the Nutrition and Dietetics Association.

Little Raiders ornaments like this one will be hanging on three trees across campus supporting the Little Raiders gift-giving campaign. Secret Santas can pick an ornament to “adopt” a local child’s Christmas wish list. (MTSU file photo by DeAnn Hays)

This year’s Christmas tree locations are:

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

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

• June Anderson Center for Woman and Nontraditional Students, Student Union Room 330, 1768 MTSU Blvd. (Open during normal business office hours.)

All Secret Santas participating in this year’s campaign are asked to drop off all gifts and donations at the MTSU University Police Building by Monday, Dec. 2. Gifts should be new. They can be wrapped or unwrapped.

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

Started by now-retired MTSU Police Sgt. Steve Scott, the Little Raiders campaign was revived by Forbes more than a decade ago. Recipients and their families celebrate at a holiday party in December, where they, along with Santa Claus, are the guests of honor.

Please call MTSU Police Dispatch at 615-898-2424 with any questions about this year’s MTSU Little Raiders campaign.

— Jimmy Hart (Jimmy.Hart@mtsu.edu)