This year is the 5th annual ‘Totes for Tots’ where kids 3-5 years olds will be granted free toys in the Compton community.  Photos: Service for Learning, Internships, and Community Engagement (SLICE) and Jumpstart.

By Richard Ricardo Jr. Staff Writer.

CSUDH’s Service for Learning, Internships, and Community Engagement (SLICE), and Jumpstart, a national early education organization, joined forces to put in their contribution into the giving back ambiances that characterize this holiday season. Through the “Totes for Tots”  campaign, these two organizations will be providing preschools in underserved communities with toys for kids 3-5 years old.

Jumpstart is partnered with preschools within the city of Compton such as; Development Center at the YWCA, Volunteers of America, and Alameda Head Start. Totes to Tots is an annual event that happens every winter season. This year SLICE and Jumpstart, have the goal to collect 200 unwrapped toys with the help of campus and outside community. According to Natalie Gomez, Administrative Assistant of Jumpstart, they are still short on toys. “We need about 100-150 toys to meet our goal this year,” she said.

The Totes for Tots is going on now through Dec.8th and even with minimal people on campus, these organizations are hopeful that their goal will be met.“We are not expecting less this year, [the] Toro community always exceeds our expectations of donations,” said Gomez.

With CSUDH donors exceeding the expected number of donations in the past, this program has been able to not only donate to the intended kids, but to others as well. “In past toy collections, we have received more than enough toys to give to the siblings of children at these sites,” said Jessica Ramirez, Jumpstart Site Manager.

With some CSUDH faculty, students, and staff still apprehensive about going onto campus, the Jumpstart group organized a new way for those interested in donating to still be able to do so from the comfort of their homes. Online shopping is not discouraged and those toys can be mailed to CSUDH SLICE OFFICES located in Welch Hall. C/O SLICE WH105, 1000 E. Victoria Street., Carson, Calif. 90747. For those willing to drop off toys in person, SLICE put out a physical drop off box in their offices located in Welch Hall. 

“SLICE in partnership with Jumpstart […] are thankful to the Toro community for supporting our annual Totes for Tots toy collection […] preschoolers are always filled with joy to not only receive but to pick out a toy of their choice,” said Gomez. 

If you are interested in donating a toy but are unsure of what to buy, SLICE has provided a list of toys that can help bring a smile to a kid’s face. They will be accepting toys until next Wednesday, Dec. 8.

If you have further questions regarding donations or about the SLICE organization feel free to reach out to one of the representatives via email Natalie Gomez ngomez59@csudh.edu or Josue Cartagena jcartagena7@csudh.edu.