LAREDO, Texas - In the midst of the strangest semester ever for collegiate athletics, the Texas A&M International University Department of Athletics is proud to announce that it will once again sponsor the annual Voz De Niños Christmas Toy Drive. This is the seventh year for TAMIU to sponsor a Christmas toy drive and the fifth year that the toy drive benefits Voz De Niños, a Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) affiliated program that advocates for children who have experienced abuse or neglect.
 
Associate Director of Athletics Dan Lathey says that the TAMIU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) recently met and unanimously decided to push ahead with the toy drive.
 
"Our student-athletes are always excited to support this cause and this year is no different," Lathey said. "We are going to push the timeline up and do things a little differently, but with the enthusiasm our athletes are showing I am confident that this will be our best year. We also have an organizing committee on campus that plays an integral role in making this event bigger and better every year, it is truly a team effort."
 
The goal of this year's Voz De Niños Toy Drive is to provide each child 12 years or older with a Walmart gift card and children 11 years or younger with multiple gifts. The toy drive will impact approximately 75 children this year.
 
Voz De Niños Executive Director Grezia Barrera says that TAMIU Athletics has been a consistent and loyal partner and she is excited that the partnership is continuing during these trying times.
 
"The children in our program have experienced unfortunate situations and have a difficult time readjusting to their new life," Barrera said. "The help they receive from us and from the community allows them to have a better adjustment period and a smooth transition. We rely on the generosity of the community to give them something special to look forward to during the holiday season.  TAMIU Athletics consistently goes above and beyond to make the season special for our children. This toy drive is something we look forward to each year, as TAMIU Athletics and Voz De Niños come together to make a positive impact for our CASA kids."
 
With the adjusted timeline, the goal is to secure all financial donations by Thursday, Oct. 29. Anyone wishing to make a financial donation should contact Dan Lathey at 956-326-2892 or dlathey@tamiu.edu.