MTSU again spread holiday cheer to local families recently at its annual Little Raiders Christmas Party.

With the help of Santa (aka Rich Kershaw, director of MTSU Student Programming), the University supplied gifts to 43 “Little Raiders” and a great night of fun and fellowship for their families, which included MTSU students and some local residents who are being assisted by the local Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program.

This year, the University Police Department, MTSU Campus Recreation Center, MTSU Student Health Services, the June Anderson Center for Women and Nontraditional Students, the Golden Key Honor Society, and MT Lambda jointly sponsored the campaign.

Members of the campus community adopted a Little Raider by picking a numbered paper ornament hanging on three Christmas trees across campus. The ornaments listed a needy child’s age, gender, clothing size and wish list.

Santa Claus (aka Rich Kershaw, director of MTSU Student Programming) presents gifts to an excited Little Raider at this year’s annual Christmas Party. (MTSU photo by Jimmy Hart)

Dressed as one of Santa’s elves, MTSU Police Officer Sarah Blair, left, helps Old Saint Nick (aka Rich Kershaw of MTSU Student Programming) distribute gifts to one of the 43 children at the recent Little Raiders Christmas Party. (MTSU photos by Jimmy Hart)

An MTSU Little Raider takes his gifts from Santa at the recent Christmas celebration for the annual gift-giving campaign. (MTSU photo by Jimmy Hart)

An elated MTSU Little Raider admires her doll from Santa at the recent Christmas celebration for the annual gift-giving campaign. (MTSU photo by Jimmy Hart)

Santa Claus (aka Rich Kershaw, director of MTSU Student Programming) makes his entrance at this year’s annual Little Raiders Christmas Party. (MTSU photo by Jimmy Hart)

MTSU again seeks Secret Santas for ‘Little Raiders’ gift-giving drive

Nov. 16, 2016

Middle Tennessee State University is again calling out to all True Blue Secret Santas for this year’s Little Raiders gift-giving campaign.

In this 2015 file photo, a group of Little Raiders pose for a photo during the annual Little Raiders Christmas Party at MTSU. The event benefits area families needing a helping hand at Christmas, including families from the local domestic violence program. (MTSU file photo by Jimmy Hart)

The annual event seeks to bring some holiday cheer to needy children and youth in the Blue Raider community.

Until Dec. 2, members of the campus community can “adopt” a Little Raider by picking a numbered paper ornament hanging on three Christmas trees across campus. The ornaments will list a needy child’s age, gender, clothing size and wish list.

This year, the University Police Department, MTSU Campus Recreation Center, MTSU Student Health Services, the June Anderson Center for Women and Nontraditional Students, the Golden Key Honor Society, and MT Lambda are jointly sponsoring the campaign.

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

These Little Raiders paper ornaments are available on three trees across campus. (MTSU file photo)

Secret Santa participants are asked to pick an ornament from a tree at one of the following three locations and to please register as a Secret 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 Student Health Services lobby, 1848 Blue Raider Drive

Donated items should be dropped off to the University Police Department no later than Monday, Dec. 5.

For more information about the campaign, contact University Police Sgt. Vergena Forbes at 615 898-2424.

— Jimmy Hart (jimmy.hart@mtsu.edu)

In this 2015 file photo, plenty of gifts and stockings awaited eager “Little Raiders” during the annual Little Raiders Christmas Party at MTSU. The event benefits area families needing a helping hand at Christmas, including families from the local domestic violence program. (MTSU file photo by Jimmy Hart)