Cecilie Nag
Features Editor
Men Respecting All Women and Women Appreciating Real Men (MRAW and WARM) organization’s Toy Drive, in Hillwood Commons September 25 to 27, collected money and toys as donations for the children at St. Jude’s Research Hospital.
“We wanted to give something back to the community,” said senior Psychology major and president of the club, Angela Calise. The mission was to make kids happy, and raise awareness around the club and the cause among students on campus, according to MRAW & WARM member Ivanna Fortunato, a junior Digital Arts and Design major.
This wasn’t the first Toy Drive hosted by MRAW and WARM. The last one, in 2010, collected toys for the same organization. After student feedback, this year’s toy drive welcomed money donations as well. Ac¬cording to MRAW and WARM members Beatriz Vacaela and Alba Rodriguez, a lot of students wanted to help last time, but they didn’t have toys to bring. “This year they are able to give money, and then we´ll go out and buy the toys,” they explained.
The organization was happy with the outcome, and hopes to make it a monthly drive, so more students will have an opportunity to donate. “We definitely will make a difference in a child’s day when they receive a toy unexpectedly,” Calise said.
The MRAW and WARM organization aims to help everyone, throughout the year – not only during holidays. The club focuses on respect and appreciation for all people, both men and women. “This year we wanted to start out early, so we can help as many as possible,” Calise said. “I think a lot of students see us as a feminist club, but we are not,” she said. “We just want to help people.”
The MRAW and WARM weekly meetings have a regular attendance of around 15 students, but Calise said that there are a lot more people involved in the club. For students who want to contribute with donations, or join the organization, send an e-mail to mraw.warm@gmail.com, or at¬tend their meetings Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m., in Hillwood Commons room 114.
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