UVA’s Santa’s helpers deliver holiday joy for kids in need

December 8, 2025
Group portrait of a team from Facilities Management Finance – from left, Steven Roberts, Shawn Gu, Blake Watson, Sonya George, Hunter Howell, Jason Davis, Kelli Craddock and Paul Perkins

A team from Facilities Management Finance – from left, Steven Roberts, Shawn Gu, Blake Watson, Sonya George, Hunter Howell, Jason Davis, Kelli Craddock and Paul Perkins – display some of the items collected for Charlottesville’s annual Toy Lift. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)

Some of Santa’s helpers work at the University of Virginia. 

For more than 35 years, a group of Facilities Management staffers has aided the Charlottesville Toy Lift program, providing presents for children in need. 

“In 1989, Brenda Buttner and Tommy Collier started collecting toys from Facilities Management employees to deliver them to the Toy Lift drop-off,” said Warren “Hubba” Wood Jr., superintendent of specialty trades and special events at UVA Capital Construction and Renovations. “Tommy and Brenda worked on this every year until they retired.”

Each year, Facilities Management establishes drop-off locations to collect toys and gifts, which are then gathered up and brought to the main collection point at Charlottesville’s Fashion Square Mall. Volunteers collect the toys, organize them and then distribute them to needy families throughout Central Virginia in time for Christmas. This year, Facilities Management employees contributed 189 toys, three bicycles and $140 in cash.

Portrait of Warren “Hubba” Wood Jr. and Teresa L. Bryant survey the items Facilities Management employees donated to the Toy Lift.

Warren “Hubba” Wood Jr. and Teresa L. Bryant survey the items Facilities Management employees donated to the Toy Lift. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)

“As an organization, we take a collaborative approach to supporting this effort – spreading the word, advertising on our display screens and working together to ensure the biggest impact possible,” Teresa L. Bryant, administration manager at Capital Construction and Renovations, said. 

“Our collective involvement truly makes a difference, and I’m grateful for everyone who contributes to making this annual effort such a success.”

Bryant became involved because a colleague asked, but the sense of purpose keeps her coming back.

“There is something incredibly moving about watching our organization come together, box by box and toy by toy, to support families who may be facing challenges we’ll never fully know about,” Bryant said. “It reminds me how much good people are capable of when given the opportunity. That feeling – the mix of joy, gratitude and compassion – is what pulled me in and has kept me involved ever since.”

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Kevin Houchens, a senior sheet metal technician at Facilities Management, has volunteered for 13 years, doing everything from directing traffic at the drop-off to his current role playing Santa Claus.  

“The thought of a child without hope breaks my heart,” Houchens said. “I like to say there is a child out there hanging on by a thread of hope, and I know when that child wakes up Christmas morning that thread of hope is now a rope of hope.”

Wood started working with Toy Lift in 1989 as a member of the Crozet Fire Department. 

“As a first responder the last 30 years, I have seen the needs of our community,” he said. “This fills my heart knowing on Christmas morning children receive a Christmas present from Santa that normally would not have happened if it wasn’t for people who share their love for others.” 

Since joining Facilities Management, Wood has assisted in collecting and delivering toys. 

Portrait of Facilities Management employees Jonathan Moore, Clay Jackson and Amy Mays show some of the items their team collected for the 2025 Toy Lift.

Facilities Management employees Jonathan Moore, Clay Jackson and Amy Mays show some of the items their team collected for the 2025 Toy Lift. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)

“I have seen the look on parents’ faces when they have received the toys from the Toy Lift program,” Wood said. “No words could ever describe that look. I have always been a giver, so this comes naturally to me. In today’s times there a lot of families struggling to make ends meet. If a few hours of my time can bring a smile on a child’s face, it’s well worth it.”

And the Facilities Management people have supported the effort. 

“Each year, our teams come together with a shared purpose: to donate as many toys as possible to children and families in need,” Bryant said. “While this initiative is meaningful every year, it feels especially important now, as so many families are struggling just to keep food on the table. No parent should have to choose between providing meals and providing a Christmas for their children.”

“Over the years, Facilities Management has collected books, bikes, wagons, games, dolls and cars for all ages,” Wood said. “Those who didn’t purchase items usually made a monetary donation.”

“Toy Lift has become more than just a tradition,” Bryant said. “It’s a reminder of kindness, community and the difference we can make when we choose to care. It reminds me every year what the holidays are truly about.”

Media Contacts

Matt Kelly

University News Associate Office of University Communications

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