MSU Physical Plant employees are continuing a typical workplace tradition at their annual Christmas dinner this year: a gift exchange.

But the presents will not be swapped by and for facility workers. The presents and goodies are being given to children in the local Toys for Tots program, which the plant has been involved in since 1986.

“It’s always a great feeling,” said Margaret Stryker, a former Physical Plant employee who is now the head custodian at Breslin Student Events Center.

Stryker and Physical Plant employee Linda Bryde were among the first individuals to suggest the idea of establishing a Toys for Tots program within the Physical Plant.

“At first, we thought it would be nice to have a regular gift exchange, but then we decided that everybody usually gets gifts (that) they don’t like,” said Stryker, who still runs the Physical Plant charity program.

During the celebration, which will take place Dec. 15, toys that are left at Physical Plant collection sites will be gathered and then given to the Company C, 24th Battalion Marines from Lansing. The Marines then distribute the toys to children.

“It’s a very significant contributor to Toys for Tots,” Sgt. Larry Fant said of MSU. Fant is the supervisor of charitable programs in eight counties, including Ingham.

Because of the current trend in donations, the Physical Plant collection is experiencing each year, totals will only get better, Stryker said.

Therefore, it was only understandable that 1999 was the Physical Plant’s most successful campaign yet.

“Last year was probably the largest we had,” said Mel Latnie, Physical Plant custodial manager.

Locations for the collection sites, which are open until Dec. 15, are the Physical Plant lunchroom, automotive services, and the telecommunication office in the Department of Police and Public Safety Building - all of which are among the major contributors to Toys for Tots, Latnie said.

“We have had very generous support from the folks at the Physical Plant and DPPS,” Latnie said.