(Seguin) — This year, Seguin Radio KWED was grateful to have seen that it’s Holiday Food and Toy drive officially branched off into the Texas Lutheran University community.
Thanks to TLU’s Black and Gold President’s Council, students collaborated with KWED to collect toys for the Seguin Police Department’s Blue Santa Program. The collection effort was conducted before the Friday morning drive outside the radio station. TLU’s effort was dubbed “The TLU Holiday Hope Drive” as the on-campus drive collected toys and new or gently worn winter clothing. TLU student Courtney Burnett initiated this partnership with KWED. Burnett and fellow Bulldogs Kendall Godel and Sophie Salgado were among the masses on Court Street Friday morning.
Burnett says she felt it was essential to establish a partnership with our radio station in hopes of helping even more people.
“I started to reach out because, I mean, you guys are the biggest news station in Seguin, and I think that TLU needed another branch in the community. We already do a bunch of service around Seguin, around the surrounding area and so I feel like having y’all as a key part in getting our outreach to the community was really important so not only are you doing a great job in getting that publicity out there, but the TLU campus has been booming. Donations have been coming in. We took around 25 bags of clothes and put them into my friend’s car and so thanks to y’all, we’ve gotten donations on campus, off-campus and we’ve gotten a lot of cash donations as well. So, I again thank y’all for being a part of our drive,” said Burnett.
For years, TLU has played a role in supporting our annual food and toy drive. Among those also attending Friday morning was TLU President Dr. Debbie Cottrell. Cottrell says they not only bring student leaders but also coaches and athletes to the annual event.
“It’s something that is connected to what TLU tries to do every year – give back to the community. Connect with the community. Help when you can. But of course, in the holiday season, it’s even more special. It’s a great thing for our students to do as the semester wraps up – faculty and staff are out here too – it’s just a great way for TLU to have its presence in the community,” said Cottrell.
The Holiday Hope Drive also offered a few off-campus bins for donations from the community. All donated winter clothing has since been delivered to Thriving Hearts Crisis Center (formerly the Seguin Family Violence Shelter).
All collected toys were also presented to KWED during Friday’s holiday food and toy drive.