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Buddy's Toy Drive: How one teenage 'Grinch' is making Christmas for Coastal Bend kids

Buddy had only hoped to raise $300 worth of toys when he first started the drive in early December. In a matter of weeks, he has raised over $2,700.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Although he's known for his twinkle-lit truck and Grinchy get-up, 17-year-old Brian "Buddy" Castañeda is about as far from being "an appalling dump heap overflowing with the most disgraceful assortment of deplorable rubbish imaginable, mangled up in tangled-up knots" as anyone could hope for.

Need proof? Just swing by Oak Park Elementary School and ask about Buddy's Toy Drive.

Inspired by his godfather's own Christmas tree drive, Buddy decided to hold one of his own: a toy drive benefiting the most needful families of Oak Park Elementary School, his childhood alma mater.

Buddy had only hoped to raise $300 worth of toys when he first started the drive in early December. 

However, within a matter of weeks, he not only exceeded that goal by raising over $700 for the toy drive but, according to his mother, also received a $2,000 check donation after his appearance on Domingo Live.

How you can help

As Buddy's donations grow, so, too does the list of children he hopes to help this Christmas.

This is where you come in.

Unwrapped toy donations can be dropped off at Oak Park Elementary School's front office during school hours, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Buddy also accepts monetary contributions via CashApp ($Buddycast06) to purchase additional toys.

Oak Park's toy distribution day is set for Dec. 20, but that's not where this real-life Christmas story ends. 

Toy and monetary donations made after Dec. 20 will still be accepted for future distribution among other families in need. What's more, Buddy is willing to pick these donations up himself – dressed as the Grinch and in his tricked-out truck, no less.

To arrange a donation pick-up, you can call or text Buddy at (361)742-0678 or email him at buddycastaneda24@gmail.com.

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