Caller-Times Children's Christmas Appeal: Christmas Eve is the last day to donate
Christmas Eve is the last day to donate to the Caller-Times Children's Christmas Appeal, a campaign to help make the holidays a little more joyful and bright for Coastal Bend families in need.
As of Wednesday, $53,273 had been raised for the Christmas Appeal this year. This time last year, the campaign raised $72,323.
Caller-Times reporters interview families in need and share their stories with readers to help raise donations. All funds raised go to the families to help buy Christmas gifts for their little ones they otherwise could not afford.
Hearing about their hardships and hopes gives the Caller-Times staff a different perspective into what the spirit of Christmas is about.
Reporter Chase Rogers said speaking with the family he interviewed made him walk away with a "different perspective."
"It was just a glimpse," Rogers said, "But my peek into my assigned family’s life was incredibly humbling.”
For reporter Ashlee Burns, meeting her Christmas Appeal family introduced her to a pair of grandparents raising eight grandchildren. After the roof of their longtime home caved on top of the grandmother and her sleeping grandson during Hurricane Harvey, she and her family of 11 were finally able to settle into their new home.
"Seeing how close my assigned family was and their appreciation for the little things in life reminded me of the importance of family and being grateful for the time we have with each other," Burns said.
The children represent thousands who will be helped by the Caller-Times Children's Christmas Appeal. The names of the families profiled have been changed to protect their privacy.
Since 1973, the Caller-Times has reported the struggle of needy children and their families during the holiday season. All the money donated to the Christmas Appeal campaign benefits the children; all overhead costs are borne by the Caller-Times, United Way of the Coastal Bend, and participating agencies.
Participating agencies include Boys & Girls Club of Alice, Duval County Christmas Committee, the Kleberg County Welfare Department, Nueces County Department of Social Services, the Odyssey After School Enrichment Program in Rockport, Sinton for Youth Inc., and the Purple Door.
Donors as of Dec. 21, 2022
In honor of William D. Bonilla
In honor of Julian Galloway
In honor of my Dura granddaughters
In honor of Jesus
In honor of Carson, Ethan, Caleb and Cade Ocker
In honor of Bacilio and Sylvia Rivera
In memory of Ralph Alcala
In memory of David Arevalo Jr.
In memory of Tim Austin
In memory of Debbie Lynn Barnes
In memory of Aurelio and Rosario Barrera
In memory of Darlene Bennett
In memory of Better and Jim Bookout
In memory of Dr. Jack L. Bradshaw
In memory of Clevia Braselton
In memory of Barry Brown
In memory of Evalynn Bunk
In memory of J.C. Byles
In memory of Xavier Canales
In memory of Hector Alberto Casares
In memory of Clarissa Chapa-Radke
In memory of Will Charba
In memory of Simon Clarich
In memory of Mike and Melanie Conner
In memory of James W. Cottingham
In memory of Janet T. Cram
In memory of Ann Curry
In memory of Fred Curry
In memory of Clara and Dick Davy
In memory of USMC Col. Roy E. DeForest
In memory of Edward and Dorothy Dimond
In memory of Grace Dobson
In memory of Dean Dreiling
In memory of Mary Rose Dreiling
In memory of Larry Dreyer
In memory of Anne Furman Dunn
In memory of Randy Eikel
In memory of Cheryl Esparza
In memory of Joe R. Fulton
In memory of Mr. and Mrs. John Gavatos
In memory of Jaqueline Glenn
In memory of Mike Glover
In memory of Jeff Goodman
In memory of Joy Grossman
In memory of Marty Haibach
In memory of Elizabeth Hansen
In memory of Carle and Fred Heinsohn
In memory of Jim Hensley
In memory of C.W. Herber Jr.
In memory of D.C. Herschap
In memory of James E. Hicks
In memory of Tony Hill
In memory of Joe Hlavik
In memory of Martha Hlavik
In memory of Henry Houser
In memory of Jack and Bessie Howe
In memory of Nicolas, Celia and Elia Huerta
In memory of Tom and Edwina Hunt
In memory of Dorothy Cabrials Inman
In memory of James and Margaret Kaylor
In memory of Howard and Ida Kennedy
In memory of Susie Kesinger
In memory of Malvin and Marie LeBlanc
In memory of Allen Lebowitz
In memory of Iris Lehrman
In memory of Clyde and Sophie Martin
In memory of Mauricio Rene Martinez
In memory of Ruby Mauch
In memory of Pete and Margaret Mayne
In memory of Edith Daniel McCarty
In memory of Janice Kay McCarty
In memory of Robert Curtis McCarty
In memory of Aline and Francis McDermott
In memory of Joe Mateo Melchor
In memory of Art Mena Jr.
In memory of Arthur Mena Sr.
In memory of Rudy Mena
In memory of Susie Mena
In memory of Edwin E. Menn
In memory of Orine Menn
In memory of Ruth Miller
In memory of Wilton A. Miller
In memory of Mr. and Mrs. E.G. Morrow
In memory of L.D. Mrazek
In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Munsell
In memory of Jose M. Nino
In memory of Jane Noe
In memory of Joe and Charlene Nuesch
In memory of Kate O'Bryan
In memory of Mr. and Mrs. F.C. Payne
In memory of Travis A. Peeler
In memory of Shay Pierce
In memory of Jon Paul Reyes
In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Facundo Rodriguez
In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Raul S. Rodriguez
In memory of Rick Roekle
In memory of my grandson Ryan
In memory of Abel, Cande and Frank Salazar
In memory of Fred Smith
In memory of Mary Smith
In memory of T.J. Smith
In memory of Frank Sumney
In memory of Frank Tompkins
In memory of Frank and Carrie Veselka
In memory of Rev. and Mrs. F.A. Walton
In memory of Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Whitehurst
In memory of Jarrett Ryan Whittington
In memory of Chase Wilson
In memory of Ken Wingfield
In memory of Mark Stanley Wise Jr.
In memory of Ashley Brooke Wise
In memory of Chuck Wise
In memory of Lorna and Decker Womack
In memory of Dub and Dorothy Wright
In memory M.G. and Ruth Wright Sr.
In memory of Joseph Zelum
Cathy and Bill Abernethy
Chris Adler
Sunil and Parveen Ahuja
Jim Barnette
Mary Ann Cavazos Beckett and family
Myriam and John Bell
Rhonda Bergey and Gary Jeffress
Kathy and Rob Black
Ruben and Rose Bonilla
Michael Brewer
Debbie Bruner
Julie Bush
Mario Capetillo
Dr. John and Nicole Carroll
Robin B. Carter
Linda and Felix Castillo
Raul and Olga Castillo
Ricardo Castillo
Joe and Margie Chavez
CLK Architects and Associates
Milton L. Cobb
Jeff and Teresa Cobbs
Susan Comer
Liz and Dale
Abby Cook Graham
Joy and Don Cramer
Marilyn Dazey
Tim Dowlond
David and Gail Drown
Dr. John T. Dugan and Bonnie Dugan
Valentin Rodriguez
The Estill Foundation
Ada Weil Fish
Joe Flores
Marlis Frank
Mr. and Mrs. Roman Garcia
Alicia S. Garza
June Gildersleeve
Sally L. Goldston
Susan and G. Gonzales
Bernard and Kim Seger
Dr. Mary Jane and Bob Hamilton
Ticia and Marty Hansich
Emmett and Nora Faye Harris
Ms. Patricia Harris
David Harvey and family
Fred W. Heldenfels III
Ken and Laurel Herring
Kathryn O. Hooper
Bill and Pamela Isaacson
Winnie Janak
Jean Johnson
Mark and Jeri Johnstone
David Beck and Katherin Kearley
Susie Killion
Annette G. Klein, Melvyn Klein, Jacqueline Klein, Jenna Klein and Catalina Klein
Helen Koether
Dr. and Mrs. Michael Lecompte
Bob and Janie Loa
Estela and Ruben Lopez
Frank and Jan Luckay
Lucy McCracken
John and Linda McGowan
Mary Ann and John McGregor
Ron and Dylcia McKenzie
Gertrude Mickan
Christine J. Middleton
Brian Miller and Colleen Johnson
Mike and Janet Miller
John S. Miller
Angela and Paul Montagna
Donald K. and Dr. Vickie C. Natale
Nikki Parker
Ed and Rita Reed
Bob and Jeanette Roper
Phyllis Roseman
Mary Ross
Mr. and Mrs. Roberto G. Salinas
Richardo Sanchez
Cathy and Jack Scholl
John Wood and Pat Shackelford
John Shreves
Tyler Smith
Kathleen Ruth Soch, M.D.
Debra Stuart
Harvey and Rosie Swan
H. Durward Thompson Jr.
Sue Thompson
L.B. and Tina Tomerlin
Ben and Flora Trujillo
Rae H. Turnbull
Carlos and Consuelo Valdez
George Wehl
Mike and Jen Wetz
Jim and Sylvia Whitworth
Charlie and Linda Zahn
HOW TO DONATE
Here’s three ways to help:
*Fill out the donation form on Page 2A. Make your check or money order payable to Children’s Christmas Appeal and mail to: United Way of Coastal Bend, 4659 Everhart Road, Corpus Christi, TX, 78411 (designate funds to Children's Christmas Appeal)
*Go online to www.uwcb.org and click on the DONATE button.
*Text ChristmasAppeal (no spaces) to 41444 to make a donation.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Caller-Times Children's Christmas Appeal: It's not too late to donate
