Donations Sought for Annual Books and Bears Program

UM faculty, staff and students asked to donate gifts for Facility Management employees' children

The annual Books and Bears program provides toys, bicycles and books to help make Christmas a happy one for children of UM custodial workers and employees of the Department of Facilities Management. Photo by Megan Wolfe/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services

OXFORD, Miss. – It’s that time of year to add a little “ho-ho-ho!” to your “hotty toddy.”

Donations for the University of Mississippi‘s 22nd annual Books and Bears program are being accepted through Dec. 19. Toys and books received by then will be given away Dec. 20 to children of UM Department of Facilities Management and custodial employees.

The distribution begins at 9:30 a.m. Fulton Chapel. Distribution will start with two books, two bears, one toy and one game in the first round.

Drop-offs can be made at the following locations:

  • Hedleston Hall, Room 303
  • School of Business Administration, Holman Hall first floor
  • Office of the Provost, Lyceum, Room 137
  • Vardaman Hall, second floor
  • Somerville Hall, Room 100
  • Powers Hall, Room 111
  • Hume Hall, Room 303
  • Career Center, Martindale Hall, Room 303
  • Farley Hall, Room 114
  • Khayat Law Center, Dean’s Office, second floor
  • Graduate School
  • Triplett Alumni Center
  • Howry Hall, Room 308
  • Bishop Hall, Room 310
  • Turner Center, Room 214
  • Ole Miss Student Union, Room 218 (Suite F)

Books and Bears co-founder Don Cole (left) teams up with Jackie Certion, assistant director of the Foundations for Academic Success Track Program in the College of Liberal Arts, and then-Interim Chancellor Larry Sparks for last year’s Books and Bears distribution program. Photo by Megan Wolfe/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services

“Checks, payable to Books and Bears, are being accepted as monetary donations and used to purchase bicycles,” said Jackie Certion, assistant director of the Foundations for Academic Success Track Program in the College of Liberal Arts. “We are hoping this year’s donation sets a new record.”

Donald Cole, assistant provost emeritus and assistant to the chancellor for multicultural affairs emeritus, and Janice Murray, associate dean of liberal arts and professor of art emeritus, organized the first Books and Bears in 1997 in response to what they saw as a need to help custodial staff provide Christmas gifts to their children. Spread by word-of-mouth, the initial response to the call for donations was overwhelming, and the program has grown each year since.

For more information about Books and Bears, contact Jackie Certion at jcertion@olemiss.edu or 662-915-1568.