Individuals, departments and the community opened their hearts and wallets to give over 275 items for an annual gift drive, plus thousands of dollars in a new donation drive to keep Husker students warm during the cold months.
[The Women's Center](https://womens-center.unl.edu/) hosted its annual gift drive for children of University of Nebraska-Lincoln students, known as [Holidays for Little Huskers.](https://studentaffairs.unl.edu/news/giving-back-brighten-life-child-holi...) This year saw a large uptick in children registered for the drive and the opportunity for holiday cheer was spread to numerous University of Nebraska-Lincoln families.
Cassie Neal, graduate assistant with the Women's Center, says 39 donors gave more than 275 items for 55 different children of currently-enrolled students.
Each donor is matched with an individual child and their wish list from which to purchase gifts. Items given this year include books, clothes, toys and car seats. One family received a Chromebook to assist with distance learning for their children.
Husker generosity was also displayed during a new [donation drive](https://news.unl.edu/newsrooms/today/article/donation-drive-to-help-stud...) organized by [Big Red Resilience and Well-being](https://resilience.unl.edu/home) and [William H. Thompson Scholars Learning Community.](https://www.unl.edu/wht/what-wht) The groups collected $3,869 to purchase 100 coats for Husker students in need of warmer clothing this winter.
"I was not prepared for the weather here in Lincoln. Thank you so much. I feel so welcomed, like the community cares about my contribution as a graduate student," said one student who benefited from the drive.
