Campus support efforts ramp up as fall semester concludes

Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST

By Wenchell Pierre

Staff Writer

As Framingham State University prepares to close out the Fall 2025 semester, multiple University departments are coordinating seasonal giving initiatives on campus while extending holiday assistance to the surrounding community.

These efforts include a “Toys for Tots” campaign led by the Framingham State University Police Department and a series of support programs overseen by the Dean of Students Office.

FSU Police Sergeant Harry Singh said the Toys for Tots campaign has grown steadily since he took over coordination of the program more than five years ago, following its early collaboration with the Henry Whittemore Library.

“When I took over the program, I felt that we could expand it to the entire campus and spread awareness of the campaign and get more toys for children in need,” Singh said.

He added the campaign originally consisted of two donation bins but expanded as more campus departments became involved.

This year’s campaign includes five donation bins placed at high-traffic locations across campus. Singh said the department aims to exceed last year’s collection total of more than 450 toys.

“Our goal is always to do better than last year,” Singh said. “This year, we’re hoping for 500-plus toys.”

The Toys for Tots drive celebrated its annual “Stuff a Cruiser” event on Monday, Dec. 8, at the  McCarthy Center Patio. The event allowed students, faculty, staff, and community members to donate new, unwrapped toys while meeting police officers and taking part in holiday-themed activities.

“What we do with Stuff a Cruiser is allow the community to come by with a toy or donation while we’re spreading cheer,” Singh said.

While the Toys for Tots campaign focuses on children throughout Middlesex County, the Dean of Students Office has coordinated separate seasonal initiatives centered on student support and access to basic needs.

Jay Hurtubise, assistant dean of students, said the primary objective of the Fall 2025 giving efforts was maintaining services amid limited staffing and funding.

“My main goal this semester was to put a call out for more donations and make sure we were keeping the Rams Resource Center properly stocked with the limited budget that we have,” Hurtubise said.

According to Hurtubise, the Dean of Students Office coordinated a food drive, a coat drive and a Thanksgiving meal distribution during the fall semester.

“It’s usually somewhere between 20 and 30 coats that we end up having available, and we go through them,” Hurtubise said.

He said the Thanksgiving meal program was adjusted after initial turnout was limited due to students leaving campus ahead of the holiday.

“We partnered with Sodexo to refrigerate the meals so they were safe,” Hurtubise said. “The next day, we distributed 25 additional meals directly to students through Residence Life.”

Funding sustainability remains the greatest challenge for these efforts, Hurtubise said.

“The number one challenge we always face is where the money is coming from,” Hurtubise said. “A lot of the support for the Rams Resource Center is grant-funded annually.”

Despite these challenges, Hurtubise said additional outreach plans are in place for the spring semester.

“The primary thing we have on the calendar is an emergency meal bank awareness campaign in February,” Hurtubise said.

Sophomore computer science major Reggie Fosu said he was unaware of campus donation efforts taking place this semester.

“I wasn’t aware that Toys for Tots or any donation drives were happening on campus,” Fosu said. “I haven’t participated because I didn’t know about them.”

“I haven’t seen any bins and didn’t know the resource center existed,” he said. “I don’t think communication about these resources is clear, especially before breaks.”

Sophomore criminology major Xiera Montes said she became aware of the Toys for Tots campaign after noticing donation boxes near the Dining Commons.

“I didn’t hear about it through emails, but I saw the boxes near the dining hall,” Montes said. “I didn’t donate because I didn’t have anything to give or the money to give things away.”

Montes said she noticed donation bins throughout the McCarthy Center and believes campus-wide drives help “encourage community and allow students to get rid of clutter they would otherwise throw away or keep.” 

Sophomore pre-dental student Antonynette Gayle Dowell said she learned about giving initiatives through flyers and University social media.

Although she did not donate on campus this semester, she said she contributed to similar efforts at home.

Gayle Dowell said she was aware of the Rams Resource Center and has visited it in the past.

“I checked it out a few times last year just to see what they had in case I was in need of something,” she said.

Senior environmental studies and sustainability major Tahnyia Black said she was familiar with the Toys for Tots campaign through campus signage.

“I’ve seen signs in Dwight Hall near the gym and already knew about the campaign,” she said.

Black said she regularly uses the Rams Resource Center and described its impact as significant.

“As a college student who provides for myself, having access to basic necessities is so important,” Black said. “At first, I was hesitant because I was worried about being judged, but now I’m comfortable and see how important it is to the FSU community.”

Senior fashion design major Raul Santana said he chose to donate to the Toys for Tots campaign after considering the financial strain many families face during the holidays.

“I donated because I understand that some families struggle to provide toys for their children during the holiday season due to limited resources,” Santana said.

In addition to donation-based initiatives, students are invited to attend Cocoa, Cookies and Connection on Tuesday, Dec. 17, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Wellness Annex in Foster Hall Room 102. Hosted by FSU Wellness and Prevention, the event provides students an opportunity to decompress and connect with staff during finals week.