From December 10th through the 14th, Milken’s Leadership and Business Ethics program, a student group committed to helping the Rose Rios project, will be collecting toys on behalf of the Midnight Mission and the South Central Family Health Center.

As the only mission on Skid Row not based on religion, Midnight Mission provides the homeless with basic necessities, such as food and shelter. They also offer opportunities to help the homeless put their lives back on track by helping them find jobs and offering educational programs. Many of Milken’s student groups, including the Beit Midrash program and the Mexico Exchange program, spend their community service hours helping out at the Midnight Mission.

After last year’s successful toy drive, which collected over 1,300 items, the Leadership and Business Ethics program is hopeful that Milken can collect over 2,000 donations this year.

“The kids who are getting these toys aren’t getting any other toys for the holidays. [This] is the one gift for the kid [whose] parents can’t afford gifts for their kid,” Sepora Makabeh ’13, a member of the Leadership and Business Ethics program, said.

There will be collection bins located at the High School flagpole, Middle School carpool circle and Skirball parking lot where students can donate new or gently used toys, clothing and books. These items will be given to young children who cannot afford these items for the holiday season. Collection will also take place on December 12th at the faculty holiday party.