Brock has embraced the season of giving.

Whether it’s food, clothing, toys or time that you’re looking to donate, there are many ways giving back to the Niagara community this holiday season.

The following is a list of fundraising initiatives, food and clothing drives, and volunteer opportunities led by the University community over the next month.

Food drives

Brock Badgers’ food drive

Brock Sports and Brock University Students’ Union (BUSU) are combining food drive efforts this year. What started six years ago as a small food drive initiated by the men’s hockey team, has expanded to include BUSU, women’s hockey and men’s and women’s volleyball and basketball.

Student-athletes are encouraged to participate and help spread the word. The athletic team that raises the most food will receive additional Badgers 4 Badgers points.

The Brock University and wider Niagara communities can donate non-perishable food items at upcoming Brock Badgers athletic games:

• Saturday, Nov. 25 — Brock vs. Laurentian men’s hockey at the Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre
• Sunday, Nov. 26 — Brock vs. Toronto men’s and women’s volleyball at the Bob Davis Gym, Brock University
• Saturday, Dec. 2 — Brock vs. Carleton men’s and women’s basketball at the Meridian Centre
• Sunday, Dec. 3 — Brock vs. Wilfrid Laurier women’s hockey at the Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre

Donations will be directed to the Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold food program and the BUSU Food First program.

Food bins

Community Care food bins will be located at the Walker Sports Complex, BUSU office, Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, DeCew Residence and Arnie Lowenberger Residence.

Suggested non-perishable food items include:

•    peanut butter
•    canned fish, meat, fruit and vegetables
•    juice boxes and large juice containers
•    pudding cups and apple sauce
•    nut-free granola bars
•    baby formula and cereal

If Brock staff or faculty are interested in hosting a bin in their office or department, please email Jocelyn Titone, jtitone@brocku.ca.

Gingerbread house raffle

Guernsey Market is raffling off a gingerbread house filled with chocolates. Tickets are $1 each. Proceeds will support BUSU’s Food First program.

Clothing drives

Swap ‘n Drop

Student Life and Community Experience is hosting Swap ‘n Drop Thursday, Nov. 30. Brock students, faculty and staff are asked to bring in clean, gently used clothing to the Student Life Involvement Commons (MCA 204) before Nov. 30. Clothing donors can participate in the event in Market Hall by taking home one item for every item they donate. Anyone can purchase clothing pieces for $2 each. Monetary donations will be directed to BUSU’s Food First program. Excess clothing will be given to the YWCA Niagara Region and Section 23, the District School Board of Niagara’s classrooms for high-risk students.

Warmth Trees

Help keep someone warm this winter. Donate new winter hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, slippers, pyjamas, socks and coats to the Warmth Trees in Walker Sports Complex and Guernsey Market. Donations will be directed to the Salvation Army and Community Care.

Clothing bins

Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts is collecting gently used clothing for Start Me Up Niagara’s Out of the Cold program and non-perishable food items for Community Care. Donations will be accepted until Dec. 22.

Winter coats will also be directed to the Out of the Cold program. Bins will be located in DeCew Residence and Arnie Lowenberger Residence.

Toy drives

Brock Campus Store is collecting unwrapped, new toys and stocking stuffers for Community Care’s Adopt an Angel program. Children’s names and ages adorn the tree to help donors choose gifts.

Brock offices and departments are encouraged to collect toys, warm clothing or money as a group. The Information Technology Services team is collecting toys and warm winter accessories that will be donated to Community Care and the Habitat for Humanity Women Build twelve Brock employees are involved with.

Donate time

Holiday parades

Candy cane helpers are needed for the Thorold Santa Claus Parade Saturday, Nov. 25 and the Niagara-on-the-Lake Christmas Parade Saturday, Dec. 9. Participants will walk alongside a holiday-themed Brock float, handing out candy canes and helping spread holiday cheer and school spirit. Visit ExperienceBU to learn more or to register to walk in the Thorold or Niagara-on-the-Lake parades.

Holiday hosts

Brock International is looking for Brock students, faculty and staff interested in hosting international students over the holidays. The time invested can be as little as a couple of hours participating in a winter activity like ice skating or tobogganing or enjoying a festive dinner. A Home for the Holidays information session is planned for Monday, Nov. 27 at noon in Plaza 411.

Community partners

If Brock students, staff or faculty are interested in volunteering with community organizations this holiday season, Kristen Smith, Brock’s Manager, Community Outreach Programs, can help connect them with community partners. For more information, email Smith at ksmith2@brocku.ca or call x3545.

Donate money

Brock University’s United Way employee fundraising campaign is still underway, with a goal of raising $145,000 by mid-December. Faculty and staff are encouraged to return their pledge forms to Human Resources or donate online.

Student Life and Community Experience is selling potted poinsettias until Wednesday, Dec. 6. Proceeds will support the Rankin Cancer Run. 

If there is a holiday fundraiser, clothing or food drive missing from this Brock News list, contact jtitone@brocku.ca to have it added.