Christmas drives seek donations of toys, food, cash

First responders collecting toys for families unable to provide kids' gifts

The 10th annual Port Aransas Emergency Services Toy Round Up is in full swing with toys and monetary donations being collected at several locations. The program helps lower income families in Port Aransas provide Christmas toys for their children. Toy donations will be accepted through Monday, Dec. 17.

"Please be generous and donate. It will make a huge difference in these children's lives," said Round Up chairman Kristin Barton.

New unwrapped toys may be dropped off at the Port Aransas Police Station or EMS office at 705 W. Ave. A, the Family Center IGA at 418 S. Alister St., city hall at 710 W. Ave. A, Value- Bank at 500 S. Alister St. and The University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute at 750 Channel View Dr.

Monetary donations may be left at city hall, 710 W. Ave. A, at the EMS office or mailed to Port Aransas EMS, Attention: Emergency Services Toy Round Up, 705 W. Ave. A, Port Aransas, TX 78373.

Checks should be made payable to Emergency Services Toy Round Up.

Teen gifts are almost always needed, as people tend to buy for the younger set, according to Barton.

Families that want to receive toys may pick up applications at the EMS office or city hall.

Applications for toys must include proof of residency in Port Aransas with a rent or utility bill having a Port Aransas zip code and some form of identification.

Parents will pick up the unwrapped toys before Christmas along with wrapping paper and tape.

For more information, call the EMS office at (361) 749-4405.

VFW to make sure famlies have a Christmas dinner on the table

Starting tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 23, the annual Care and Share drive will begin.

Conducted by the VFW Post 8976, it will continue through Sunday, Dec. 16.

The drive consists of volunteers collecting food so that less fortunate families in Port Aransas will have a Christmas dinner.

Members of the VFW will man a table at the Family Center IGA, 418 S. Alister St., from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow, and continue on Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 16.

On week days, contributions may be put in a box at the Family Center or dropped off at the post home, 311 N. Alister St.

Cash contributions may be mailed to Care and Share, c/o VFW Post 8967, P.O. Box 1447, Port Aransas, TX 78373 or dropped off at the post home.

Donations of nonperishable food items to complement a Christmas dinner will be accepted. Cash contributions also will be used to pay for perishables, such as hams and turkeys.

Eligible families that would like to receive a box of goods to make a Christmas dinner may sign up at city hall, 710 W. Ave. A, or at the post home by Monday, Dec. 17. They must provide a name, complete street address, telephone number and proof of residency in Port Aransas.

VFW members and volunteer helpers will sort and box the food during the week of Dec. 17, then add the hams and turkeys. Deliveries will be made either Dec. 20 or 21. Families receiving the boxes should be sure someone is at home to receive the food.

Last year, the Care and Share Drive delivered food to more than 100 Port Aransas families. A similar number of families is expected to be served by the drive this year.