This holiday season, discover the joy of making a difference in the community by supporting charities that touch hearts and change lives with holiday giving initiatives. Learn how these local initiatives spread kindness and cheer this time of year, and jump in to help too.
Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi’s Community Christmas
Catholic Charities is in its 57th year of providing food baskets and toys for families in need, as part of its Community Christmas initiative. From Dec. 18-21, volunteers assist in distributing 2,500 meals in partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps to ensure a joyful holiday season for local families. Various volunteer positions and donations are needed. For details, call 361-884-0651.
The Salvation Army Angel Tree
Join The Salvation Army in spreading Christmas cheer to more than 1,300 children this year. Adopt an angel from one of the Angel Trees located at La Palmera Mall or Wal-Mart, and shop for that angel according to age, clothing sizes and wish list items. You can also give children toys through Wal-Mart Registry for Good, where the wish items of the angels registered are placed.
Young Heroes of the Guard Christmas Toy Round-Up
The Young Heroes of the Guard Toy Drive, benefiting Driscoll Children’s Hospital, returns for its 14th year to bring comfort and joy to hospitalized children across Texas. Donate, host collection boxes or volunteer to brighten the day for thousands of Texas children. Every $4 raised represents one toy delivered to a child in need. Learn more at txsgtoydrive.com
Caller-Times Children’s Christmas Appeal
This annual initiative by the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, United Way of the Coastal Bend and area agencies provides local children with a happier holiday. Local agencies recommend families experiencing crises due to medical problems, a death in the family, job loss or similar situations for a Caller-Times feature in hopes readers learn their stories and donate to provide desired gift items like beds, new clothes and other necessities. Donate at uwcb.org
Toys for Tots
Bring festive cheer to children in need and assist the U.S. Marine Corps in collecting new, unwrapped toys at one of the collection sites or donating to the initiative online. Volunteers can assist at collection sites, and toys will be distributed Dec. 15-17. To become a toy drop site, visit corpus-christi-tx.toysfortots.org
Frosty the Foster Tree
Join the Nueces Child Welfare Foundation to help fill wish lists of every child in the Department of Family Protective Services. Sponsor a child by selecting a tag online for a single child or sibling group. Donations, unwrapped or in gift bags, are needed by Dec. 12. For details, visit nueceschildwelfarefoundation.org.
