North Carolina A&T employees showed their holiday spirit by recently sponsoring hundreds of gifts for local children in foster care!

This past Friday (Dec. 3), the university teamed up with the Guilford County Department of Social Services (DSS) to host the fourth annual "Winter Wishes in Aggieland" event. N.C. A&T employees sponsored the drive-through drop-off and collected 600 gifts for 200 foster kids in Guilford County, totaling about three toys per child! The gifts will be distributed to social services just in time for Christmas. 

Courtesy of Tonya D. Dixon

Courtesy of Tonya D. Dixon

"It's just magical," said Shannon Barlow, Interim Director of Guilford County DSS. "This time of year is so special anyway, and to be able to partner with A&T is just wonderful. A&T is one of our largest and most generous partners at this time of year."

"Y'all have granted our children over 600 wishes, and that's huge for the community," she stated. "The support of the community is just amazing, at this time of the year especially. So we could not be more excited to be here and to celebrate with our community partners at A&T."

Courtesy of Tonya D. Dixon

"To be able to grant their wishes, to get them the things that they want for Christmas," Barlow recalled. "Christmas, Hannukah, those are all just special times of the year."

"We want our children that are in foster care to have the same kinds of magic on Christmas morning that all children have, so we're just more than grateful for our community partners," Barlow concluded.

Courtesy of Tonya D. Dixon

This was the fourth consecutive year that N.C. A&T has held the holiday event, and we're stoked to see this powerhouse HBCU spread the holiday cheer!

"The entire A&T community embraces this event," added Angela Peterson, Associate Vice Chancellor of Campus Enterprises. "It brings joy to our hearts to be able to provide this type of support."

The university takes pride in its outstanding public service and considers its leadership role in the community "a privilege, honor, and duty" that A&T hopes to expand further. You can see more photos from the Winter Wishes in Aggieland event down below.

Courtesy of Tonya D. Dixon

Courtesy of Tonya D. Dixon

Courtesy of Tonya D. Dixon

Courtesy of Tonya D. Dixon

Courtesy of Tonya D. Dixon