This Saturday at the Basketball games against Mount Mercy University, the Raven Athletic Department and the Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT) will begin the annual Christmas Joy Drive.

The event has take on many names over the years, but this years supporters have an opportunity get involved twice to help out the event that benefits the Atchison Salvation Army.

Saturday, fans are encouraged to bring an unopened toy to the games for free admission to watch the Ravens take on the Mustangs. The Raven Women tip-off at Noon, followed by the Raven Men at 2 p.m.

The Christmas Joy Drive is a competition this year between residence halls on the Benedictine campus, with their competition ending on Saturday, Dec. 13 with the Basketball games against Missouri Baptist University.

To be part of the second part of the event, fans are encouraged to bring any of the following items: Mac and Cheese, Canned Meats, Pasta Noodles and Sauces, Boxed Meals (Hamburger Helper), Instant Oatmeal; Potatoes and Gravy Packets,
Peanut Butter and Jelly, Canned Meals (Ravioli, Chef Boyardee), Soups; Beans (Chili, Red, etc.), Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix; Ramen Noodles, Hats and Gloves, Small Throw Blankets, Children's Books, Coloring Books, Crayons and Puzzle Books.

The items listed above will be added to the items being collected across the residence halls and donated to the Salvation Army as we combine efforts to help make this Christmas season brighter for the Atchison Community that has given so much to our Benedictine Community.

In addition to the two events at the Basketball games on Dec. 6 and 13, each athletic program from across Raven Athletics is also adopting a local family through the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program. Those items are being collected throughout the next two weeks and will go to the Salvation Army the week of Dec. 15 as well.