Men's Basketball | 12/7/2016 10:40:00 AM

STATESBORO, Ga. – The Georgia Southern men's basketball team made a special delivery after practice Tuesday when the Eagles went to the university's Department of Public Safety to donate toys to Toys for Tots.

Matchbox cars, stuffed animals, books and games were just some of the items the Eagles donated. The Georgia Southern Police Department is a drop off zone for Toys for Tots donations. Donations are accepted seven days a week, and drop boxes are straight through the front doors.

"I love that Georgia Southern is doing this, and that all the presents that were donated are going to stay in Bulloch County," said Georgia Southern coach Mark Byington. "The fact that we can make these kids happy on Christmas day means a lot to me and a lot to our team." 

The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community.

"Obviously, it's a great cause," said junior guard Jake Allsmiller. "The local community supports us and provides so much to us so it's nice to be able to come out here and give back and provide something for the kids in the community and hopefully, we're making someone's day on Christmas morning."

Georgia Southern opens a four-game road trip at Minnesota Dec. 9. The game tips at 9 p.m. ET and will be televised live on the Big 10 Network. The Eagles are back in town Dec. 22 in a doubleheader with the women's team and open Sun Belt Conference play with a men's and women's doubleheader against Georgia State Dec. 31.

Georgia Southern Athletics provides up-to-date information on all its sports through its official website, GSEagles.com, through social media channels facebook.com/GSAthletics, twitter.com/GSAthletics, iOS app Georgia Southern Eagles and Android app Eagles GATA. For tickets to Georgia Southern athletics events, visit GSEagles.com/tickets.