Athletes from SUNY Brockport have banded together to raise funds and toys for the Brockport Central School Toy Shelf this year.

On December 9, 2022, SUNY Brockport’s Associate Head Athletic Trainer John Jackson and Associate Athletic Director Gil Burgmaster donated over $2,500 on behalf of Golden Eagle Athletics to the Brockport Toy Shelf. Student athletes from the university also donated gifts for Brockport families.

Jackson explains that this is the fifth year the Golden Eagles have supported the Brockport Toy Shelf and they’ve raised over $12,500 for families in the district during that time.

“Tara [Ms. Jackson] told us about a family in need six years ago,” Jackson said. “So, our family got together and adopted a [district] family. We have done this each year since and, the next year, there was such a need that I brought the idea to Brockport Athletics, and they jumped right in.”

Working with SUNY Brockport’s Student Activity Advisory Committee (SAAC) who helps organize many of the collections for the drive, Jackson says he “looks forward to the event every year.”

“I am so proud of our student athletes and how they give back to our community,” Jackson said. “It’s amazing to be walking down the hall and an athlete will holler to me ‘here’s a few bucks for the kids.’”

According to Barclay Elementary School Counselor Rachel Hume, there are 17 families that Brockport’s Toy Shelf is planning to help this season.

“There is a food program that our school [Barclay] hosts to assist in helping families with bringing food home on a weekly basis,” Hume explains. “Every year, the families on that list are reached out to and asked if they would be interested in any holiday help from the school.”

Barclay teachers and staff will use the funds donated by the Brockport Golden Eagles to provide presents for families.

“We want to ensure our students and their families are able to have a wonderful holiday season,” Hume said. “There are many uncertainties in the world today, and with this drive we are able to make sure that the holidays are not one. We feel so lucky to be able to work with the John and the Golden Eagles to assist our Barclay families in making this holiday season a memorable one.”