PISCATAWAY, NJ - The Rutgers University Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, spearheaded by the Rutgers Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), is once again sponsoring a toy drive for needy children in the area.

Members of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will be collecting toys during the 7:30 p.m. Rutgers-Fordham basketball game on Wednesday, December 11.

Last season, enough toys were collected to make donations to the Middlesex County Head Start program as well as to St. Peter’s University Hospital Pediatric Unit. While the 2001 Toy Drive was the most successful to date, the goals for 2002 are even higher. In addition to servicing the Middlesex County Head Start program, this year’s goal includes the Somerset County Head Start program as well.

Rutgers athletics is asking fans to donate unwrapped toys for a 3-5 year old boy or girl, or a $5 - $10 cash donation. Members of the SAAC will be on hand to collect the toys and cash donations.

With the cash donations received, committee members will go to local stores to purchase toys to give as gifts. This undertaking enables Rutgers Athletics to bring joy to deserving children in the surrounding counties this holiday season.