The highly anticipated UAFS Toy Toss will return to the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 12 at the Stubblefield Center during the UAFS men’s basketball game. Fans are encouraged to bring new, soft toys to donate. In exchange, they will receive free admission to the game. Following the Lions’ first point, fans will toss their toys onto the court in a festive display of support for local organizations.
This year’s Toy Toss will benefit the Salvation Army, Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club, and the UAFS Lion Pride Pantry. Kids from the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club will assist in gathering the toys from the court.
“This event brings so much joy to the community, and we’re proud to support local charities while creating such a memorable experience,” said Dyllan Newell, coordinator of student activities and civic engagement at UAFS. “The Toy Toss has become a beloved tradition for Lions fans, and we’re excited to see it continue to grow.”
Leading up to the Toy Toss, toys will be collected on campus from Oct. 17 through Nov. 8 in the Campus and Community Engagement Office, located in the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center. On campus, Registered Student Organizations will compete to see who can donate the most toys, with the winner announced at halftime of the Nov. 12 game.
In addition to the on-campus collection site, the United Way of Fort Smith Area will conducting a citywide toy drive with companies including Arvest Bank, ArcBest, ABB, and BHC Insurance hosting collection boxes.
Area K-12 schools will also host collection bins, with each school vying for the traveling Toy Toss trophy. Toys will be counted at the door of the Nov. 12 game, and students from the winning school will receive the trophy, the glory, and a Lion-themed prize.
Toy Toss was established in 2010 on the UAFS campus, and has become a signature event for the university, capturing the attention of fans across the state having earned features on the national stage, even landing the Lions on ESPN.
