November 20, 2009 — Coral Gables — The University of Miami Police, Coral Gables Police and Coral Gables Fire Departments are collaborating with several University of Miami student, faculty and staff organizations, departments and individuals on a unified annual holiday toy drive this season. In an effort to build a stronger bond between the Departments and the University community, all involved entities are making one large concerted effort to collect, wrap, and distribute toys to children who may not otherwise receive any.

Collection of unwrapped toys will begin on Monday, November 23rd and continue for four weeks through Friday, December 18th. Several donation bins and acceptance points are located around the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus; the main acceptance point is the University of Miami’s Police Station located on the ground floor of the Flipse Building/ Ponce de Leon Parking Garage at 5665 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables, FL 33146.

Toys should be for children and teens ages 0 through 18, unwrapped. For University community members short on time or unable to easily leave campus, the University of Miami Bookstore located in the University Center sells many items that would make great gifts such as toys, sports equipment, accessories and personal effects. A toy drop bin is conveniently located by the registers so items can be purchased and donated at the same time.

Anyone interested in donating a unique toy gift to a specific child in need may do so through the “Holiday Hope Tree” partner program coordinated by the Butler Center for Service and Leadership and the Division of Student Affairs. Visit the University Center Information Desk to “adopt an angel” between now and December 4th.

Further information, in addition to a full list of all involved University of Miami entities, is available through the University of Miami Police Department’s website at www.miami.edu/police. Questions and involvement requests may be directed to the UMPD Crime Prevention Office at (305) 284-1105 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

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