Keene State to hold Toys for Tots drive on Saturday

KEENE, N.H.  11/30/11 – Keene State athletic teams hope Owl fans bring a game (as well as other toys) to the game on Saturday. Keene State will hold a "Toys for Tots" drive on Saturday when the Owls host UMass-Dartmouth in a Little East Conference men's and women's basketball doubleheader at Spaulding Gym. The Keene State women tap off against UMD at 1 p.m., followed by the men's game at 3 p.m.

Everyone making a donation to the toy drive will be given free admission to the game. 

The idea for the drive came from the KSC softball team. "Every year we do volunteer work, and we were brainstorming what to do," said Courtney Savoie, a senior pitcher from Stratham, N.H. "We wanted to get the rest of the team and the entire campus involved, so we presented the idea to the student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC) and came up with the Toys for Tots drive." 

Teammate Samantha Pratt, a senior pitcher from Bristol, Conn., designed flyers to hang around campus, and boxes were placed in the Student Center to collect the toys. Empty boxes will be placed in front of the ticket window at Spaulding Gym on Saturday. 

"We've been so fortunate at Keene State with all the things we've been given and all the opportunities we have at school and through the athletic department," said Savoie. "So, we're trying to give back, especially at this time of year when it really means a lot to people."