CSU Donates to Toys for Tots Program

ORANGE BEACH, ALA. — To help make Christmas merry for many children, Columbia Southern University (CSU) employees Friday donated several large boxes of toys and numerous bicycles to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program based in South Baldwin County.

"Columbia Southern University faculty, staff and management are so pleased to be able to donate these toys to such a worthy cause in Baldwin County. The Toys for Tots program does so much to make the holidays happy for children and we are very glad to support its efforts," said CSU Director of Employee Activities Vicki Barnes, who led the university effort.

On hand to accept the toys was area Toys for Tots Coordinator Donald Fredrickson along with several Marines. Fredrickson works the Cpl. Joseph Whitehead Detachment 1370 Marine Corps League in Gulf Shores, Ala.

"This donation is awesome," said Fredrickson. "CSU is a great steward of the community and we appreciate all it does. We look forward every year to partnering with CSU."

He explained that CSU’s effort is part of generous support this year from the community. Typically, his South Baldwin program collects 12,000 to 14,000 toys each year.

Fredrickson explained that the toys are distributed throughout South Baldwin first and then surplus toys are given to neighboring communities. By giving toys to less fortunate children, Toys for Tots works to deliver a message of hope that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.

Columbia Southern University offers online certificate and degree programs in various fields such as fire administration, human resource management, organizational leadership and business administration.

For more information about CSU, visit www.columbiasouthern.edu or call 800-977-8449.