UAB is celebrating 32 years of spreading holiday cheer, and you can join in on the fun!
The UAB Toy Drive has collected new, unwrapped toys for children in need throughout the Birmingham metro area for over three decades. Toys are donated to the U.S. Marine Corps' Toys for Tots campaign and will be collected from Nov. 3 to Dec. 11.
This year, you can drop off toys at collection boxes around campus, or purchase a toy from one of our wish lists:
Teddy Bear Toss
UAB Athletics has generously partnered with UAB IT for a fourth year to host the Teddy Bear Toss at the Blazers' home game against South Alabama at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21. Anyone who brings a new teddy bear or other stuffed animal to the game can get a $8 ticket at the gate and will be able to throw the teddy bear on the court at halftime. If you don't have time to grab a bear before the game, the UAB Bookstore will have a variety to choose from. You can shop for a UAB spirit bear, or stuffed Blaze at the Hill Student Center or at their vendor stall in Bartow Arena.
Santa Claus will be at Bartow that afternoon for photos before the game and to help collect donations at halftime.
Toy Drive Book Challenge
Books, books, and more books — oh my! While we would love any toy, this year in particular we are asking our community members to donate their favorite childhood book to the toy drive, with a goal of 200 collected. Whether it be big or small, books open a door to world of adventure.
Final collection
The final Toy Drive Day is Thursday, Dec. 11, at Cudworth Hall, when the U.S. Marines will pick up all the donations for their Toys for Tots drive. If you haven't dropped off a toy at one of our collection boxes across campus before that day, UAB IT invites you to swing by and drop off their donations at Cudworth Hall before noon that day.