Kentucky State University partnered with the Housing Authority of Frankfort for the holidays

Kentucky State University President M. Christopher Brown II and his administration wanted to lead an effort to give back to the local community this holiday season.

This year, employees celebrated the holidays with an ugly Christmas sweater party. In the weeks leading up to the party, a holiday toy drive was held to benefit the Housing Authority of Frankfort. The faculty, staff and administration rose to the challenge, collecting over 200 toys and gifts to donate to children and adults in need.

“The faculty and staff have come together and made a way for an entire village to receive a gift for Christmas,” Sonia Sanders, assistant vice president for public engagement and community outreach, said. “Our campus building captains jumped into action and we will supply more than 200 toys and gifts for the entire Housing Authority of Frankfort.”

Sanders said community engagement has been strong in recent months.

“Under President Brown’s leadership we have embraced men, women, boys and girls in the Frankfort community in our efforts to move KSU forward through community engagement,” she said. “It is our mission. It is our commitment.”

“I felt absolutely honored to help lead the 2017 Kentucky State toy drive to benefit the Housing Authority of Frankfort,” Amanda Roberts, administrative assistant for the Office of the President, said. “I’m so proud of my colleagues and campus for the outpouring of love and generosity that I have been able to silently witness over the past few weeks. They may never know how it really happened, but my heart is full knowing that so many children and adults will have a little more joy this season.”

Employees from across campus donated to the cause.

“I couldn’t help but to join my Kentucky State Toys for Tots family as we thank our colleagues for their donations to children and elderly this season,” T’Ebony Torain, director of Upward Bound, said. “I would also like to thank my Upward Bound teens and parents for donating to the project, as well.”

“I am so pleased that so many Kentucky State University employees gave to the holiday toy drive. This act of love truly embodies the Christmas spirit,” Lyndsey McGaha, media manager and host, said. “It’s just another example of how Kentucky State continuously works hard to positively touch the community.”