Jan. 9, 2008
ATLANTA – With the conclusion of the seventh-annual Michael Isenhour Toy Drive, in which Georgia Tech student-athletes collected toys and donations to benefit the United States’ Marines’ Toys for Tots program as well as a local foster home, several Atlanta school children were able to enjoy the holidays this past month.
More than 1,400 toys and over $7,000 in cash was collected over a three-week period in early December in a project that the student-athletes take much pride in. Over the last seven years, Georgia Tech has collected more than 10,000 toys that have gone to local kids in time for the holidays.
The Toy Drive was the brainchild of former Georgia Tech basketball player Michael Isenhour in an effort to help 9/11 families, and began in 2001 as Isenhour was battling leukemia. The Georgia Tech Student-Athlete Advisory Board renamed it the Michael Isenhour Toy Drive to create an ongoing legacy to their fellow student-athlete, who lost his battle with cancer in 2002.
Copied below is a letter from Georgia Tech track & field athlete Taylor Narewski:
To all Georgia Tech Fans,
Thank you so much for your donations for the seventh-annual Michael Isenhour Toy Drive. You gave 1,425 toys and donated $7,305.63 overall. Your continued generosity over the last seven years for this event always amazes every student-athlete who has been involved. Nearly every Georgia Tech team was able to help with the toy drive this year by collecting donations, advertising events, or distributing the toys. During finals week several student athletes were able to visit the Hillside Home for Children. Because of your generosity, we were able to give the center a portion of the toys we collected as well as provide all of the children with gift certificates to Target. By giving these kids a small Christmas gift we were able to encourage them to finish school and attend college. We also answered a good number of questions about playing sports for Tech. Again, none of this would have been possible without your generosity. Thank you all for making the Michael Isenhour Toy Drive a success once again. We hope that you and your families had a wonderful holiday!
