The Kent State Mentor group helped, with yards of wrapping paper and hundreds of bows, make the holidays special for local needy children.

The group wrapped donated presents Thursday in the Rathskeller for children of lower income families in the Kent area. The presents were gathered by Kent Inner Hall Council, United Christian Ministries and individuals who gave private donations.

"This is our fifth year of wrapping presents, and this year we've received about 800 toys and 200 people have volunteered to help us wrap the presents," said Robin Zucker, director of the Mentor group.

Jordonna Wood, a senior member of the Mentor group, has helped with the present wrapping for the last three years.

"I like to help wrap the presents because these toys bring joy into a child's life," said Wood. "Also by wrapping presents the parents don't have to worry about the extra costs of wrapping paper and ribbons."

After the toys are wrapped, they will be transported to the King Kennedy Center the morning of December 15 so the parents of the children will be able to pick out presents while the children are in school.

Each child is allowed one present.

"We divide the toys up so that they are age and sex appropriate," said Zucker. "This is a really good program because people at our university get to come together and work for a great cause."

Zucker also said that she enjoys handing out the presents to the needy families.

"I really enjoy seeing the children we mentor after they receive their toys. They have big smiles on their faces," she said.