TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — More than 750 University of Alabama students in biology classes donated more than 5,100 toys to families in need in the Tuscaloosa area.
The toys were distributed Saturday, Dec. 13, in Tuscaloosa.
Dr. Rosianna Gray and Dr. Jason Pienaar, assistant professors of biological sciences, worked with the Daughters of Al Muqit No. 199, the female counterpart to the Prince Hall Shriners, to arrange for distributing the toys.
The toys were distributed to parents and children at APTOR Rehab Services, 526 14th St. in Tuscaloosa. Gray worked with the Daughters and local service agencies to identify people to receive up to five toys.
“These are predominantly parents or representatives who are in need of a ‘little’ help to ensure that their kids have a great Christmas,” Gray said.
The drive collects toys from biology students, who earn extra credit. The students gave the toys just before Thanksgiving.
“This year the amount of toys we received was more than double the total last year,” Gray said.
For details on the event, contact Gray at gray047@as.ua.edu or Jeanette Grant, Illustrious Commandress of the Daughters, at 205/765-4011.
The department of biological sciences is part of UA’s College of Arts and Sciences, the University’s largest division and the largest liberal arts college in the state. Students from the College have won numerous national awards including Rhodes Scholarships, Goldwater Scholarships and memberships on the USA Today Academic All American Team.
Contact
Richard LeComte, media relations, rllecomte@ur.ua.edu, 205/348-3782
Source
Dr. Rosianna Gray, gray047@as.ua.edu; Jeanette Grant, Illustrious Commandress of the Daughters, 205/765-4011