As soon as students see the tree lit to conclude the LSU Candlelight Celebration, the holiday enthusiasm will continue with the 23rd Annual Holiday on Campus at the LSU University Student Recreational Complex.

Organized by the Staff Senate, the charity-oriented event will provide entertainment for students, faculty, on-campus staff and their children, as well as an opportunity to donate food and toys to those in need. Holiday on Campus will accept new, unwrapped toys for the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, and non-perishable foods for the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.

Julie Perkins, chair of the Holiday on Campus Committee explained the event also seeks to provide a fun night for the University community for its hard work over the course of the semester.

“It’s something to thank our staff, students and faculty for their services throughout the year,” she said. “There’s something there for everyone to enjoy.”

Perkins said the event will include door prizes, food and beverages and entertainment such as games or using the facility’s rock climbing wall.

The event also largely caters to children with elements like stilt walkers, jugglers, Santa pictures, face-painting and crafts that children can “take home and put on the refrigerator or Christmas tree,” Perkins said.

“It’s a family-oriented event, so the idea is for University members to bring their children with them,” she said.

But previous crowds have been more diverse than faculty and their children, Perkins said. She remembered last year’s event drew in nearly 600 attendees, and volunteer support has come largely from University students.

Lynn Livingston, another member of the Holiday on Campus Committee, chaired the group from 2010 through 2011 and said the event has improved every year.

“We’ve just tweaked it over the years to make it better and a better experience for the kids and their families,” she said.

The event was originally held in the Carl Maddox Field House, she said, but has since moved to the UREC to better accommodate the entertainment. In addition, the event has continually included more members of the University community, like last year’s addition of an appearance by the homecoming king and queen.

“Knowing that you’re doing an event like this for the LSU community is fun in and of itself, and to give back to the community — that’s important, that’s enjoyable,” Livingston said. “Once you’re thinking about December and the holiday, this is really a great start to it all.”

The event will begin at 6 p.m. and end at 8 p.m.

‘It’s something to thank our staff, students and faculty for their services throughout the year.’
When: 6 to 8 p.m. tonight
Where: LSU UREC
What to bring: non-perishable food items, new and unwrapped toys