December 2017, West Hartford, CT – The holiday spirit was in full force at American Institute’s West Hartford campus, as students and staff filled donation boxes for the annual Toys for Tots drive. Dozens of dolls, ride-on toys, cars, and art supplies were collected over the three-week campus donation drive, to benefit children in needy families across the area.

“The students really enjoy this event,” said Lisa Baur, Associate Director of Education. “The Medical Assisting students were particularly generous.”

Toys for Tots was first started by the U.S. Marine Corps, and has become a national event benefitting thousands of families each year. Ms. Baur initiated the toy collection at West Hartford to give students an opportunity to give back to their local community.

“Our students come from challenging areas,” said Ms. Baur. “It’s important that we show them that, regardless of their circumstances, there are people in the world that they can trust, lean on and who will support them.”

“Activities like this show our students that we care about them and the communities they come from.”