Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE-With Santa hats, a festive spirit in the air, and the element of giving, University of Wisconsin-Platteville employees at Glenview Commons exchanged gifts with their fellow co-workers.

For the second year, the exchange provided a unique twist. The gifts that were exchanged reflected what the employee may have played with or wanted as a child. "We have gifts ranging from Barbie dolls to Easy Bake ovens to Candyland games," said Joie Schoonover, associate director of UWP dining services. The gifts were then collected and donated to Toys for Tots.

The idea for such an exchange formed through Tina Osterholz, a Glenview Commons Cook. Last year Osterholz got the idea from her daughter whose office in Detroit did a similar gift giving exchange.

"This year we wanted to get the students involved," said Schoonover. "We asked students to donate a gift with a $5 value or greater. When a student donated a gift, their name was entered into a drawing for a mountain bike, which was donated to UW-Platteville by the General Mills Foodservice Division."

The event increased its donation from 20 gifts donated to Toys for Tots in 2002, to over 60 gifts this holiday season.

"It's a unique way to celebrate the holiday season. There is always a big need around the holidays and this year is no exception, especially with the state of the economy," said Schoonover. "This is something that the staff really believes in."