Hog Fans Support Toys for Tots
By: Nina Criscuolo, KNWA - Fayetteville, Fort Smith
Updated: December 21, 2011
Hog hoops at home Tuesday evening, but it was the fans throwing it in the basket. In other words, fans could bring toys to the game to support a great cause and they got some exclusive hog perks in return.
It's how Hog fans celebrate the holidays and support Toys for Tots and the Northwest Arkansas Children's Center.
"This is a great idea. We've had more requests this year than ever before, so we need the toys," says Toys for Tots Coordinator John Staples.
Hundreds of hog fans hurried in with toys in hand for a very special cause.
"They need toys this time of year, so we thought we would," says Jim Watson with his wife Angela. They traveled all the way from Hot Springs to help. An effort they say is worth it considering the reward.
"Brought a football to have them sign," says Jim.
"We did this last year and got a signed football for one of our twin sons, so the other twin son will get one this year," says Angela.
A donated toy is the ticket needed for fans to get up close and personal with the Razorback football team.
"It's fun for the football players to get to interact with fans," says fan Tiffany King.
And whether the gift is big or small, Staples say it scores the same points with kids.
"Don't think that your toy or your gift isn't going to matter to a child, because it certainly will," he says.
And for folks like the Watsons making a child's Christmas complete is the best victory of all.
"This gets the community involved and I think that speaks well for the school and the team and we're just glad to see them do that," says Angela.
"It's a good feeling doing something good this time of year for the kids," says Jim.
Staples say thanks to this event and others in Northwest Arkansas, Toys for Tots will help thousands of families by distributing more than 15,000 toys.
