Blue Santa Toy Drive Returns

11/07/2022

It’s that time of the year again — the legend of Blue Santa returns.

Following a campus tour in 2006, Blue Santa, a close cousin of Old St. Nick, has become a regular holiday fixture at Saint Louis University, collecting toys from the SLU community to make the holidays more joyful for St. Louis kids. Submitted photo.

Blue Santa is seeking donations to assist families in need. Campus units are encouraged to host a collection within their units for children's toys (any age birth-18), and bring their donations in person to Blue Santa's Workshop.

Donations can be dropped off at the workshop anytime between 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m on Friday, Dec. 9, in the Busch Student Center 251 and Tuesday, Dec. 13. in the Learning Resource Center Lobby.

Attendees can also enjoy some holiday treats and snap a picture with Blue Santa himself. Individuals may also contribute to the online fundraiser by visiting the donation page.

Donations will be given to local community organizations and shelters, including Catholic Charities, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Community Women Against Hardship, Seeds of Empowerment, Whole Kids Outreach, and LifeWise STL. Any and all toy donations welcome — toys should be new and unwrapped.

Blue Santa was started in 2006, as an effort by the then Director of the Student Involvement, Adam Peck, Ph.D. The event has grown substantially over the years, with the program adopting an online donation platform in 2020 as a result of COVID-19. Peck recently passed away, and Saint Louis University is proud to have this year’s, and all future year’s efforts be in his memory.

To learn more about the legacy and lore surrounding SLU Blue Santa, read up on history.

For more information, contact Bobby Wassel or Aubra Ladd in the Division of Diversity and Innovative Community Engagement.