With the holiday season around the corner, West Virginia University students are looking for help in preparing for the annual Students Helping Other People (SHOP) and Toy Mountain programs to benefit local disadvantaged children.

WVU s Student Government Association and Student Organization Services are collecting financial donations to benefit 80 or more kids ages 6-12 from Monongalia County through mid-December.

On Dec. 13, student volunteers will accompany the children on aSHOPpingtrip to Super Kmart by the Morgantown Mall, where each child can purchase $75 worth of toys and clothes. The children may also purchase presents for mom and dad if they prefer.

The children and student volunteers will be bused from the Mountainlair around 8:30 a.m. There will be photos with Mountaineer mascot Michael Squires before the buses leave, and pizza will be provided when the children return.

SHOP is an amazing program,said James Bailey, SHOP /Toy Mountain coordinator.We are reaching out to the community to get kids who normally would not have that great of a Christmas some toys and clothes to make their holiday season a little brighter.

To contribute, send a check payable to SHOP to: SHOP , Student Organization Services, Mountainlair, West Virginia University, P.O. Box 6444, Morgantown, WV 26506 -6444.

Toy donations are also needed to build Morgantowns largest toy mountain in the Mountainlair food court. WVU faculty, staff and students are encouraged to drop off new, unwrapped toys (valued at $5 or more) at the Student Organization Services office in theLair. The toys will go to the Salvation Army and Christian Help.

Financial and toy contributions will also be collected at the Dec. 6 WVU -Cleveland State basketball game and Dec. 2 Woodburn lighting ceremony.

Student volunteers are needed to accompany the children on theirSHOPpingtrip. Anyone interested in volunteering is asked to contact Bailey at ” James.Bailey@mail.wvu.edu rel=nofollow> James.Bailey@mail.wvu.edu or 304-293-4397.