For a good cause The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8967 Ladies Auxiliary and the VFW itself recently donated $2,000 to the Emergency Services Toy Round Up. From left are EMT Daniel Johnson, paramedic Rachel Grumbles, EMT Justin Sain, Rosalinda Guajardo, treasurer of the Ladies’ Auxiliary, and Kevin Johnson, quartermaster at the VFW. STAFF PHOTO BY DAN PARKER TOY ROUNDUP

Deadline for dropping off those toys for the Emergency Services Toy Round Up is fast approaching.

Organizers say they will accept donations through Monday, Dec. 19.

So, what do they need? They say “girlie stuff,” like nail polish, makeup and such. Primarily, items for girls in their early teens.

Since most items dropped off to date have been for boys, donations for girls between the ages of six to 15 would help round out the presents to be distributed to Port Aransas families who may not otherwise have presents to place under their trees.

Port Aransas police, fire and medical services have been holding the collection drive since the beginning of November.

New unwrapped toys or cash donations may be taken to any of the drop off sites: Port Aransas Police station or EMS office, both at 705 W. Ave. A; Family Center IGA at 416 S. Alister St.; city hall at 710 W. Ave. A; ValueBank at 500 S. Alister St.; University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute at 750 Channel View Drive; or Island Toys at 1023 State Hwy. 361, Suite C.

Monetary donations also may be 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.

Families wishing to register to receive toys had to have their applications in on Dec. 9.

Event chairman and EMT Justin Sain said, “Christmas would not be possible for many” if not for those who generously contribute to the drive.

VFW CARE & SHARE For more information, call the EMS office at 749-4405.

CARE, SHARE

The number of Port Aransas families signed up to receive food from the Care and Sharer Food Drive is down from previous years.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 13, only 40 families had registered. Organizers say they are expecting 100. The bottom line is, if you haven’t added your name to the list to received a box filled with ingredients to prepare a hot holiday meal you should do so soon. The deadline to register is Monday, Dec. 19.

Those wishing to receive a box of food should stop by the VFW Post 8967, 311 N. Alister St., between 2 and 10 p.m. to register. They are open daily. Organizers warn that everyone wishing to receive a box containing the necessary ingredients for a holiday meal must sign-up, even those who received box dinners last year or are registered with the food pantry. A name, complete street address, telephone number and proof of residency in Port Aransas is required. An electric or water bill will fulfill proof of residency.

Organizers are planning to wrap up the drive this weekend and begin preparing boxes with holiday meals next week.

The last collection efforts are planned for Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17 and 18, when volunteers will be at the Family Center IGA, 418 S. Alister St., from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Items sought for meals include nonperishable food items to go with a Christmas dinner. Cash to help pay for perishables, such as turkeys and hams, is also being accepted.

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

Boxed dinners will be available for pick-up on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at the Civic Center, 700 W. Avenue A, from noon to 3:30 p.m.

Volunteers are being sought to help fill the boxes with non-perishable foods the day before pick-up, Tuesday, Dec. 20, and also to help fill the boxes with turkeys and hams on the day of pick-up. To volunteer, contact the VFW at 749-6534.

“Port Aransas residents and visitors are extremely generous. We are already ahead of what we collected last year,” said organizer Karen Davidson.