Oct. 30, 2007

DeKALB, Ill. - Northern Illinois Athletics has joined forces with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots Program to help bring holiday cheer to those in need.

NIU will accept Toys for Tots donations during all November home football, volleyball, and men's and women's basketball contests. As a thank you to Huskie supporters, fans who drop off a new, unwrapped toy at a basketball game or volleyball match will receive admission to the event for just a dollar.

To honor the U.S. Marine Corps, there will be a "Toy Drop" during the Huskies' Nov. 9 women's basketball game against Bradley. Fans are encouraged to bring stuffed-animals and other plush toys to throw onto the court at halftime.

Toy donations will be accepted at the west side of Huskie Stadium during Northern Illinois football games, and at entrance two of the Convocation Center for other events.

Toys for Tots is a non-profit arm of the U.S. Marine Corps that has been collecting and distributing toys to underpriveleged children for 60 years, and now operates collection campaigns annually in over 500 communities covering all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

For more information on the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots Program, visit www.toysfortots.org.

NIU Toys for Tots Drop-Off Events

Football
11/10 vs. Kent State 3 p.m.
11/24 vs. Ball State 3 p.m.

Volleyball
11/9 vs. Ball State 7 p.m.
11/10 vs. Toledo 7 p.m.

Women's Basketball
11/6 vs. Robert Morris 7 p.m.
11/9 vs. Bradley 7 p.m.
11/15 vs. Western Illinois 7 p.m.

Men's Basketball
11/2 vs. Aurora University 7 p.m.
11/5 vs. Augustana 7 p.m.
11/24 vs. Stephan F. Austin 7 p.m.