NORFOLK, Va., Dec. 13, 2021 – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s (MEAC) first-ever “Toy Drive Challenge,” in partnership with Toys for Tots, has officially concluded. Beginning in early November and running through the first week of December, MEAC member institutions set up drop sites on campus and at athletic events for children’s toy donations ahead of the holidays.
 
As part of the historic rivalries between the schools, MEAC institutions competed against each other for the number of toys collected. The conference is awarding the school with the highest number of toys collected, Morgan State University, with a block of free tickets for their students to attend the Cricket Celebration Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 18 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. All toys collected are being donated to kids in the local markets of the schools and the conference.
 
A total of 396 toys were donated upon completion of the campaign from the following schools:

Morgan State University will receive a block of free tickets for their students to attend the Cricket Celebration Bowl. The Toy Drive Challenge served as an extension to the Cricket Celebration Bowl’s Celebration of Service community initiative, which this year features a toy drive led by the National Pan-Hellenic Council to benefit kids in the Atlanta area.
 
“It is gratifying knowing The Toy Drive Challenge will brighten the holiday season for kids in our member institution’s local markets and we greatly appreciate all of our students, coaches, athletic staffs, fans and stakeholders who got involved in the campaign,” MEAC Commissioner Dr. Dennis E. Thomas said.
 
At this year’s Cricket Celebration Bowl, first-time participants South Carolina State University and Jackson State University will battle on the gridiron. For more information, please visit thecelebrationbowl.com.
 

About the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) is in its 51st year of intercollegiate competition with the 2021-22 academic school year. Located in Norfolk, Va., the MEAC is made up of eight outstanding historically black institutions across the Atlantic coastline: Coppin State University, Delaware State University, Howard University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina Central University and South Carolina State University.
 
About Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots, a 74-year national charitable program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, provides happiness, and hope to less fortunate children during each Christmas holiday season. The toys, books, and other gifts collected and distributed by our Marines and volunteers during the Christmas season offer these children recognition, confidence, and a positive memory for a lifetime. Toys for Tots also provides support year-round to less fortunate families experiencing challenges and exceptional circumstances, thus sending a message of hope beyond the holiday season. It is such experiences that help children become responsible citizens and caring members of their community. Last year, the Marine Toys for Tots Program fulfilled the holiday hopes and dreams of 7.4 million less fortunate children in over 800 communities nationwide. Since 1947, over 272 million children have been assisted. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not-for-profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps and the Department of Defense to provide fundraising and other necessary support for the annual Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. For more information, please visit www.toysfortots.org.