By: Jessie Chrobocinski Photo by: Rachel Benavides, Styled by: JoAnne Howell
This year has been a year like no other. As we know, the pandemic has shifted the norm and brought challenges for many. While for a fortunate few, the holidays may bode well with downtime to regroup from this year’s unpredictability, others might find it even more challenging. If you are fortunate enough to share the gift of giving this holiday season, we’ve put together a guide for local charities accepting donations this holiday season.
Texas Rangers’ Jose Trevino and Westside Helping Hands 4th Annual Toy Drive
On December 19, from 6 pm-9 pm, Westside Helping Hands is holding a toy drive at the organization’s facility located at 3146 Highland Ave. West Side Helping Hand is partnering with Coastal Bend local and Texas Rangers Catcher Jose Trevino. Enter a chance to win Rangers memorabilia donated by Jose Trevino by receiving a raffle ticket for your donation. Brewster Street Icehouse is also hosting a benefit comedy show featuring Steve Trevino, which will again help West Side Helping Hand.
Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi ‘Community Christmas’
Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi has provided Christmas food baskets and toys to thousands of children and households for more than 50 years. Their partnership with Toys for Tots in 2019 provided gifts for more than 1,500 local children. This year Catholic Charities delivers 2,600 food baskets throughout the counties located within the Diocese of Corpus Christi. If you’d like to donate a gift or volunteer, call 361-884-0651.
Gift Cards for Goodies
New Life Refuge Ministries’ (NLRM) “Gift Cards for Goodies” benefits the young women at the Home of Hope Refuge for child victims of sex trafficking. Until December 24, NLRM accepts gift card donations from Target, Walmart, Chili’s, Whataburger, Sonic, Dairy Queen, Amazon, and more. Ordered your gift card donation online or drop off your donation at the office in Flour Bluff or South Side at JBBM Marketing. Please be sure to select New Life Refuge Ministries as your Non-Profit on Smile.Amazon.com whenever you shop Amazon. For questions, call 361-946-6331.
The Salvation Army Angel Tree
Every year, The Salvation Army of the Coastal Bend provides Christmas gifts to more than 1,300 children around the Coastal Bend, thanks to the Angel Tree program. Gift children with new and unwrapped clothes, shoes, coats, and toys. Adopt a child registered in the Angel Tree program, referred to as an Angel, and donate clothes, shoes, coats, toys, and other items on their Christmas wish list. For more information about the Angel Tree program, call 361-442-0863.
Young Heroes of the Guard Christmas Toy Round-Up
This year, Texas Toyz partners up with the Texas State Guard for Driscoll Children’s Hospital, annual “Young Heroes of the Guard” Toy Drive. Since 2009, this drive provides toys to the children confined to hospitals throughout Texas to bring comfort and joy during the holidays. Join their mission of bringing happiness to children with donations of toys, hosting a collection box, or volunteering to sort, package, load, and deliver the toys. For more information or questions, visit their website.
Stay Home and Decorate For Strays
Help Corpus Christi Animal Care Services (CCACS) provide holiday cheer for foster pets. CCACS provides animal lovers with craft supplies to decorate a stocking for an adopted pet at the shelter to take home with them. They are also accepting pet toys, treats, and blanket donations to use as stocking stuffers. For more information, call 361-826-4633.