The NAACP chapter at Francis Marion University is in the process of collecting toys for less fortunate children this holiday season.

FMU NAACP chapter vice president Blaine Graham said she has high hopes for this year’s toy drive.

“I know we will impact a great number of children’s lives this Christmas; even the smallest donations go a long way,” Graham said.

The FMU NAACP chapter began collecting toys for the “Toys for Tots” foundation on campus.

The chapter is accepting donations of unwrapped toys in an effort to give to less fortunate children.

Donation boxes can be found in the Chemistry and Biology Departments and Founders Hall.

This is the second year the NAACP has brought the Toys for Tots campaign to the FMU campus.

Last year, the organization collected nearly 400 toys to give to kids over the state.

FMU NAACP chapter president Kwamane Speights said that he believes that this year will be just as, if not more, successful than last year.

“Students at FMU care for those less fortunate, and it showed last year in the amount of donations we received,” Speights said. “We expect even greater numbers this year.”

Star Coffey, a junior nursing major and member of the NAACP, said that she believes in the objective of Toys for Tots and donates to the cause every year.

“Christmas is a time for family and sharing,” Coffey said. “I may not have much, but every year I donate from the heart what I can.”

Senior biology major Reginald Simon said that his first time donating to the Toys for Tots was last year.

After a member of the organization explained the cause and how simple it was to impact a child’s Christmas, I donated two toys,” Simon said. “I look forward to donating this year as well.”

The Toys for Tots drive will continue until Dec. 2. On Dec. 3, the toys will be sent to the Toys for Tot’s National office in Florence and then distributed to various organizations for those in need.