During the season of giving, Kean University is doing its part in helping those less fortunate. Hosted by the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA), Ryan’s Toy Round-Up is in full swing this semester.
This toy drive has taken place at Kean for many years through New Jersey Speech Hearing Association (NJSHA), with this being the second year that NSSLHA is participating. Putting this idea in motion, NJSHA asked all NSSLHA chapters across the state for their help. This year, the organizations will be donating these gifts to the Pediatric Unit at St. Peters.
“Ryan’s Toy Roundup was founded as a major event of the Ryan Patrick Faella Foundation to channel his love through each toy donation, so that his memory lives on through a child who may experience a happier holiday,” said NJSHA.
Ryan’s Toy Round-Up was founded as a part of the Ryan Patrick Faella Foundation. This organization was created in support of Ryan Patrick Faella, a 13-year old boy from Mountainside. According to Essex County Council for Young Children, when Faella died suddenly in the summer of 2000, his parents and community remembered him through numerous events and initiatives.
“My favorite part of this event is that it allows us as students to become a part of something larger than ourselves,” said President of NSSLHA Teresa McCann. “We are not only supporting the mission of the Faella family, we are also supporting local children and helping them and their families to have a happier holiday during extremely challenging times of their lives.”
Anyone who is interested can donate from now until Friday, December 2. Donations can be dropped off at a bin located in the Speech Clinic at East Campus. The following items, new and unwrapped, can be donated to the cause:
- Coloring Books/Crayons
- Sticker Books
- Art Projects
- Amazon Gift Cards
- Water Wow (found at Target)
- Melissa and Doug Reusable Stickers (found on Amazon)
- Melissa and Doug Puffy Sticker Play Set (found on Amazon)
- NO STUFFED ANIMALS
“[I love] how easy it is to help a family in need!,” said Danielle Bove, secretary of the NSSLHA. “The items that are being asked for donation are very inexpensive, but can make a sick child extremely happy. Donating takes very little time and money, but can make a big difference in these children’s lives.”
For more information on the toy drive, students can email ehedden@kean.edu. To learn more about the Faella Foundation, students can visit the Ryan Patrick Faella Foundation website.
