Service & Giving at SMU from Lori Lizarraga on Vimeo.

The holiday season is a time for giving back and SMU is embracing that holiday spirit whole-heartedly. From the C.U.L. Food for Fines Can Drive to the Meadows School of the Arts Coat Drive, the on campus service and giving opportunities are endless.

“This will be the first year that we’ve actually done the coat drive, but in the past we’ve always done a can drive and it’s been very successful,” said Meadows School Advancement Assistant Matthew Harris. “We’ve filled literal carfuls.”

Toy drives on campus are benefitting organizations like The Salvation Army, Toys for Tots and The Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center this Christmas. SMU Parking and ID Card Services is even letting students pay for their outstanding parking tickets with toys. Students are able to bring in a toy donation equal to the amount of their parking ticket and their balance will be paid. This opportunity brought hundreds of toys from students last year, and they’re expecting the great turn out again this year.

“I think it’s imperative as SMU students, faculty and staff that we give back to Dallas in meaningful ways,” said SMU Community Engagement and Leadership Coordinator Bailey Gurthie. “However, it is important to serve throughout the year, not just during the holiday season. But we hope, hopefully with so many people getting involved during the holidays it sparks a passion for service year-round.”

Anyone interested in getting more involved with service and giving this holiday season or any time of the year can visit SMU’s Community Engagement and Leadership Center in Hughes-Trigg.