The Toys for Tots campaign helps make sure children who are less fortunate here in South Texas have a gift under the tree to unwrap Christmas morning.
However, this year, we've learned Kleberg and Kenedy counties aren't covered by the program.
Kleberg County Toys for Tots Co-Coordinators Rebecca Sanchez and Stefanie Perryman look back and know they've helped put smiles on the faces of hundreds of children.
"We loved it, we loved like getting to see the parents, kids every year, it's been amazing and humbling," Sanchez said.
While the Toys for Tots program is offered by the Marine Corps Reserve, in some smaller communities those efforts depend on community volunteers.
"We still follow the same rules and procedures as the Marine Corps Reserve, rigorous background check involved training every year in Washington DC, take it very seriously," Perryman said.
Though it may be a personally rewarding role, its also one that has taken them away from their own families during the holidays. Last year, the two started to see the community response slow down. Trouble getting volunteers along with personal health issues, they made the difficult decision to step away from their roles.
"Toys for Tots, we let them know we would not be coordinating this year. We had a few people who were kind of interested, we want to take it over once they figure out the work that goes into it that it is a volunteer job and all the training no one really picked it up," Perryman said.
If you go to the Toys for Tots website, Kenedy and Kleberg Counties are not covered this year. Still, the women know kids will be taken care thanks to a community with an already generous heart.
"We felt comfortable, really no longer having the Toys for Tots program here, because there are so many organizations here in Kingsville that really stepped up a lot of places collecting and donating," Perryman said.
Steve Martinez from the Kingsville Salvation Army and pastor at King's Way Church is among those doing their part to help fill the need.
"There's a lot of poverty here in this community a lot of needs," Martinez said.
The organization is hoping to make a difference through their Angel Tree Program.
"Our goal is to get a child a pair of shoes, pants, and shirt, and something they would like for Christmas, that's Angel Tree, setting up at Walmart, church and at Kleberg Bank," Martinez said.
However, after hearing about Toys for Tots not returning, they are also setting out boxes, asking the community to fill them with new toys.
"Some of these kids you see the way they live and some who don't get the opportunity to have a Christmas so we saw the need how can we meet the needs," Martinez said.
The group plans to have a big community giveaway on Dec. 20, at the church at 6 pm for anyone who needs that extra support.
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