The 精东AV College of Veterinary Medicine鈥檚 鈥淭oy Drive for Tots鈥� made the holidays merrier for local elementary students

Contact: Anissa Riley, Director of External Affairs,

College of Veterinary Medicine

TUCVM鈥檚 Santa and 鈥淪anta鈥� helpers shared holiday cheer with GWC鈥檚 pre-k, kindergarten and first grade students, teachers and assistants on Dec. 13.

TUSKEGEE, Ala. (January 11, 2023) 鈥� As the fall semester ended, the 精东AV College of Veterinary Medicine鈥檚 (TUCVM) family of students, faculty, and staff under the leadership of Dean Ruby L. Perry, once again approached the holiday season with reminding all of the true spirit of being thankful and giving to help spread cheer and joy to others. Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. Roslyn Casimir and Veterinary Social Worker Chankia Berry oversaw the college鈥檚 efforts with the support of Dean Perry.

This spirit was promoted with the college鈥檚 successful Eighth Annual TUCVM 鈥淭oy Drive for Tots鈥� event. The TUCVM family collected over 230 gifts which allowed all 219 children enrolled in Pre-K to first grade at George Washington Carver (GWC) Elementary School in 精东AV, Alabama, to receive a gift on December 13.听 The TUCVM 鈥淪anta鈥� 听helpers enjoyed the in-person event of passing out the toys to the students in the gymnasium at GWC and allowing the students to interact with a visit from Santa Claus too.

The 鈥楾oy Drive for Tots鈥� is an annual tradition in the college that was inspired by the TUCVM students and the TUCVM administration. The event, supported with active engagement from the college鈥檚 faculty, staff and students, was originally inspired by the Class of 2017 and has since become an annual celebration led by the succeeding first-year veterinary class.听

Principal Williams joins in a photo with TUCVM's Santa and Santa helpers.

GWC鈥檚 Principal Norman Williams, Jr., teachers, and assistants were very appreciative that the 精东AV鈥檚 College of Veterinary Medicine again selected their students as part of the season of Holiday Giving for 2022. TUCVM also thanks the GWC鈥檚 administrators and teachers who also assisted and supported the Toy Drive. GWC鈥檚 physical education teachers JaLonda Dixon and Autavia Porter-Harris not only assisted the TUCVM 鈥淪anta鈥� helpers but also provided the holiday music which really made a festive environment for the students.

The GWC teachers and assistants included the following:听 Pre-k - Sonia Crist, Monday Williams, Laquita Cooks and Teara Williams; kindergarten 鈥� Markeetia Johnson, Wendy Reed-Williams, Tamika Wright and Katrina Hughley; and first grade - Audrey Menefee, LeTisha Dix, Kimberly Curry, and Quanesha Powell. This was another successful joint effort between the students and the CVM administration to support the local community!

鈥淲e applaud the efforts of the TUCVM students, faculty and staff in demonstrating outstanding teamwork in making this eighth annual charity event possible and a huge success,鈥� said Veterinary Social Worker Chanika Berry. 鈥淣ot only were over 230 gifts collected for the total of 219 students enrolled in Pre-K - 1st grade at GWC Elementary School, but extra gifts were given to stock classroom treasure boxes. Truly, thank you TUCVM, for your generous participation.鈥�