Social Media Class Leads Little Smiles Toy Drive

By Kelly Marmo

Staff Writer

Professor Kyle Gladney and his class have come together to form the Lynn Students for Change group in conjuction with Little Smiles, a non-profit organization in West Palm Beach, to give back this holiday season.

Lynn Students for Change was a final semester project, allowing the class the chance to choose a charity to work with while incorporating social media to give back. Gladney is a professor in the College of Communication and Design and wanted to find a way for his students to give back to the community in a way that would apply to the course.

“Giving back to the community is so important, especially during the holiday season,” said Gladney. “As a class, we have the opportunity to work together using our preferred social networks.”

The class put together a Facebook page called Little Smiles Holiday Toy Drive. On this page, there is a link to a PayPal account for toy donations. Some students, including Hattie Rowe, have become extremely involved in this project.

“This Toy Drive project is important to me as I love to work with children and support causes that help them,” said Hattie Rowe, freshman. “I love that we are going to help children in the community that are less fortunate because they truly deserve to have a special and happy holiday season.”

Lynn will be collecting donations until Dec. 15. Exemplifying the Fighting Knight spirit, Little Smiles focuses on raising money for kids in hospitals and organizing events to lift the spirits of little ones.

Gladney’s class saw an opportunity to work with this organization to put a smile on children’s faces during the upcoming holidays.

“There are so many kids who do not get the gifts they deserve,” said Danika Lobosco, freshman. “It honestly feels so great to give back and do what I can to help others in need.”

Students can visit the Facebook page to donate. Together, Lynn and Little Smiles can bring about more holiday cheer.