Bobcats give back this holiday season

Bobcat Giving Tree 

The University Police Department (UPD), Texas State Police Officers Association, Delta Gamma Sorority and Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity hosted the 2nd annual Bobcat Giving Tree project.

Christmas trees at UPD headquarters, LBJ Student Center and Alkek Library were decorated with ornaments that listed the age, gender and name of children in need of gifts this holiday season. Students, faculty, and staff selected ornaments from the Giving Tree and shopped for the children over several weeks.

UPD collected donations and Delta Gamma and Sigma Alpha Epsilon wrapped gifts. Together, they distributed gifts to over 170 local children.

After the event, UPD shared special thanks to the New Braunfels Trail Team 6 and The Echo Acappella Group for their support.

Check out a video of the stash of presents and a thank you message from UPD.

Student Involvement's 12 Days of Giving

For this year’s 12 Days of Giving, Student Involvement gathered donations from departments and organizations across Texas State and delivered them to the Hays-Caldwell Women's Center, a nonprofit chosen by the Student Leadership Board which helps local women, men and children who are victims of family violence, dating violence, sexual assault and child abuse. In total, 1,484 items were donated, such as towels, linens, clothing, toiletries, children’s crafts and kitchenware. University departments and organizations competed to see which team could collect the most donations. Student Government gathered the most donations and won the coveted Giving Meister Cup for 2019.

Pictured left to right: Arlette Lucas, Executive Director of the Student Leadership Board; Tucker Thompson, Vice President of Student Government; Corey Benbow, President of Student Government; Eddie Becerra, Co-Executive Director of the Student Leadership Board

Theta Chi’s Polar Plunge

Theta Chi raised more than $1,000 through its Polar Plunge event to benefit United Services Organization (USO), which keeps U.S. military service members connected to family, home and country. Theta Chi sold tickets and T-shirts and accepted monetary donations for USO.

Interfraternity Council Canned Food Drive

From November 11-18, the Interfraternity Council (IFC) hosted its canned food drive competition to benefit the Hays County Food Bank. The Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity donated the most cans – more than 900 pounds of food – and received a trophy in the Interfraternity Council office. Collectively, IFC donated more than 2,500 pounds of food. The IFC is a board of student leaders who are elected to govern the 10 fraternities under the IFC.

Round Rock Campus Toy Drive

Bobcats at Texas State’s Round Rock Campus donated clothes, toys, puzzles, games and gift cards for children at Caldwell Heights Elementary School. School counselor Sonya Taylor shared that "the families were thrilled with the toys, books, and clothes," and thanked the campus for "making a difference in several families' lives this season." The first 50 participants each received an angel tree ornament.

Sigma Chi Movember Fundraiser

This November, Sigma Chi Fraternity raised several hundred dollars and awareness for the Movember Foundation. Collectively, Movember has funded more than 1,250 men’s health projects around the world for health research and services. The Movember movement uses “the power of the moustache to have an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health.”