Kaylynn Kaps
News Reporter

Many people in Mesa County will go without basic necessities this holiday season.
Now is your chance to help out some of the clubs at Mesa State by donating toys, mittens, hats, scarves and more to those in need during the holidays. You even have a chance to adopt a family.
ASG hosts an on-campus toy drive that students are encouraged to support. Bring in new or used toys that are in good condition to the many drop off locations on campus. There is one drop off in every building.
Donated toys will go to the Salvation Army, where they will be donated to children, churches, homeless shelters and other families in need throughout the community. Some will also go to students who have children.
“This experience is new for me,” ASG Sentor Stephanie Wickers said. “I like having the experience of getting contacts in the community, hearing from students and what they think about it and hearing from the church how much they appreciate it.”
Adopt-A-Family is a program that the Mesa State Ambassadors hold every year. The Mesa County Workforce Center helps Ambassadors find families in need for the Christmas season and the Ambassadors find sponsors who are willing to buy gifts for the families.
Students can contribute by contacting the Ambassadors at 261-7021 or by contacting the Workforce Center at 248-0871.
“I like seeing the families’ faces when students go to pick them up,” said Ambassador  Kami Higa. “It’s cool because they get emotional and start crying because they are thankful every year that people are willing to help them out.”
Adopt-A-Family is sponsored by a lot of other organizations across town such as HOPE Unlimited, a program through the Mesa County Benevolent Community Partnership. HOPE Unlimited also accepts financial contributions and volunteers will do the shopping and ensure that the items are delivered to each family.
The Tomlinson Library is hosting the Mitten Tree project where students can bring in hats, mittens and scarves and place them on the tree that is located inside the front doors of the library. All donations should be new, handmade or thoroughly cleaned. Donations will be taken to Catholic Outreach and given to needy families before Christmas. All donations should be on the tree by Dec. 20.
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kkaps@mesastate.edu