For immediate release: Sept. 29, 2011

BLOOMSBURG — Bloomsburg University will host a toy give-away on Saturday, Oct. 1, from noon to 4 p.m. for local children up to age 13 whose families were affected by recent flooding.

The effort, at the Waller Administration Building, will provide one basic toy per child. It's sponsored by Toys for Tots and operated by volunteers from BU and Mansfield University. Children do not have to be present to receive a toy.

The toy distribution was inspired by a Bloomsburg youngster who told a BU volunteer he'd lost his toy truck in the flood and asked for help.

"At a time when families are understandably concerned about providing housing, clothing and food, we want to help the youngest flood victims piece their lives back together," said Kim Schmitz, who coordinates BU's Toys for Tots efforts. "There will be another opportunity to help these children and others at the holidays."

In conjunction with the toy give-away, high school athletes competing in Saturday's NEPA Invitational, hosted by BU's cross country team, are invited to donate new or gently used toys for local flood victims. Toys will be collected at Nelson Field House.

Bloomsburg University is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university serves approximately 9,000 students, offering comprehensive programs of study in the colleges of Education, Business, Liberal Arts and Science and Technology.