MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Members of the Faulkner basketball and cross country programs delivered over 90 stuffed animals Monday to children at Baptist East Hospital in Montgomery Monday afternoon. The occasion brought to a conclusion the winter toy drive led by Faulkner student-athletes Creed Spivey and Morgan Holland DeWitt who are members of the SSAC Student Leadership Council.
 
DeWitt said this project stemmed from the SSAC SLC and was a great way to "give them to the children at the hospital during the holidays, just to brighten the mood and just to share Christ's love to others." Spivey said the project was a way to help people going through a challenging time. "I think it's just really special being able to help out the kids, especially when they're going through so much. I think it's just a good thing we can do."

"They were just all excited," Spivey said. There was a little boy who got a big dinosaur and he started roaring… I thought that was really special." DeWitt echoed the special moments and interactions with the families. "You can just see the joy on their faces and on their parents' faces.. And it means so much more than just a toy to them. It's so sweet that we're able to do this to help them around the holidays."

The additional animals will be kept at Baptist East to be distributed to other children who are admitted throughout the holiday season. The University's student-athletes intend to host a similar drive in the Spring to coincide with the Easter holiday.