The 2023 Toys for Tots donation drive once again surpassed expectations as the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa community showed their holiday Aloha Spirit through donations and partnerships. The drive collected hundreds of toys for Hawaiʻi’s keiki in need, and showed that school pride is strong at UH Mānoa.
UH Mānoa Department of Public Safety (DPS) has hosted the event annually since 2020. The collections occurred between November through early December. The success of the toy drive continues to grow each year, owing much of its success to many UH departments and organizations that assist by collecting toys at their events.
The 2023 drive garnered many partnerships both on and off campus. The UH Office of Alumni Relations partnered with DPS for their first ever young alumni mixer and toy drive event that collected more than 40 toys. UH Athletics hosted a toy drive at their December 10 men’s basketball game against Hawaiʻi Pacific University, resulting in a large donation from UH fans and community members.
Many UH departments took advantage of the DPS toy pickup service, which allowed departments to host smaller collection sites within their department, which provided a convenient way for donors to make their contribution.
Sgt. Bryne Nagata, who has led the toy pickup service since 2020, said “This year’s Toys for Tots drive received the highest number of toy donations since DPS began our participation in 2020. It warms my heart to know that there are many students, employees, and community members willing to brighten a child’s holiday season. As the coordinator for DPS‘s Toys for Tots drive, I want to extend my deepest and heartfelt appreciation to everyone who donated a toy or contributed their time.”
At the end of the toy drive, DPS sorted through hundreds of toys and prepared them for loading into the donation truck. Students from the Hui Poʻokela chapter of the Mortar Board Honor Society, a UH Mānoa group that recognizes college students for their exemplary scholarship, leadership and service, donated their time to assist in sorting and packaging toys for final donation to Toys for Tots.
