The Staff Association's 2023 Holiday Toy Drive in partnership with SMU Parking and ID Card Services supports the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center, a United Way service provider.
The Dallas Children's Advocacy Center (DCAC) coordinates the investigation and prosecution of the most severe cases of child abuse in Dallas County, serving more than 8,000 children and their non-offending family members last year. DCAC houses the Child Abuse Unit of the Dallas Police Department, five units of CPS, and a Dallas County District Attorney. Having these professionals under one roof drives collaboration and communication in the very sensitive cases that DCAC coordinates. For more information about DCAC, please visit dcac.org.
About DCAC's Holiday of Hope
Toy drives, such as ours at SMU, are instrumental in providing a Holiday of Hope to the families that DCAC serves and often contribute to DCAC's life-changing work beyond the holidays.
Toys for Tickets
In previous years, SMU Parking and ID Card Services has graciously offered students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to pay off parking tickets by donating toys of equal or greater value to their parking tickets. Ticket dismissal applies only to unpaid SMU parking tickets issued for unauthorized parking, parking without a permit, over time parking, or improper display of a permit. More information about this and if it will again be offered in 2023 will be posted closer to the holiday season.
Past Toy Collection Locations
Blanton Building – First Floor Elevators
Bridwell Library - Circulation Desk
Collins Center – South Entrance
Dallas Hall – Dean's Suite
Dawson Service Center – Front Entrance
Dedman Rec – Main Entrance
Expressway Tower – HR Office Suite
Fondren Library Center – Main Entrance Information Desk
Owen Arts Center – Taubman Atrium
Perkins School of Theology – Prothro Hall
Types of Toys Requested
Please provide new, unused, full-size, non-violent, unwrapped toys, such as Board Games, Infant Toys, Baby Dolls - Caucasian and African American, Leap Frog/V-Tech Items for all ages, Arts/Crafts Kits, Science Experiments Kits, Remote Control Cars, Footballs/Basketballs/Soccer Balls/Volleyballs for boys and girls, NERF Products, Action Figures, LEGO, LOL Dolls, Shopkins, Thomas the Train, Barbies/Barbie Cars/Barbie Houses, Disney Princess Items, Paw Patrol Toys, Jurassic Park, Fuzzy Blankets, Reading Books - all reading levels, Bluetooth Portable Speakers/Headphones, Curling Irons, Flat Irons and Hair Accessories, Bath & Body Works/Dove Gift Sets, Old Spice/Axe Gift Sets, Purses, Wallets, Skateboards with Helmets, Scooters/Ripsticks with Helmets, Jewelry/Watches, Perfume/Cologne, Adult Coloring Books, Journals, Fine Point Markers/Gel Pens.