With the holidays in full swing, it’s the perfect time for the residents of the Coastal Bend to join together to assist those less fortunate. In the spirit of the holidays, I wanted to take this opportunity to bring attention to certain efforts in our area that will benefit many families this holiday season.
Toys for Tots is a nationwide campaign and has strong roots and participation in Corpus Christi, Port Aransas, Rockport-Fulton, and the Coastal Bend area. The initiative began in 1947, when Marine Major Bill Hendricks collected and donated 5,000 toys to children in their city. The campaign was so successful that Marine Reserve Units around the country began collecting and donating toys, under the shared objective to “bring the joy of Christmas to America’s needy children.” Since its inception in 1947, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program has distributed over 452 million toys to more than 209 million needy children across the country. Events are held around the area to promote the Toys for Tots holiday drive effort from the public, along with Marines from the local Naval Air Station who collect donations. With a great military base, strong charity presence and generous-minded people and industry, District 32 is a great place for Toys for Tots to contribute to the children of our area. If you would like to learn more or get additional info, please visit Toys For Tots – Corpus Christi.
In addition to this great organization, there are many other charitable events in the area occurring this holiday season. To find volunteer opportunities, you can look at Feeding Texas. As we prepare for the holiday season, let us join together in helping the community and bettering the lives of those around us.
If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns, or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).
– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32
Rep. Hunter represents Aransas County and part of Nueces County. He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.texas.gov or at 512-463-0672.