Caller-Times Children's Christmas Appeal: Donations have begun to help children in need

John Oliva, Corpus Christi Caller Times
·5 min read

The Caller-Times' annual Children's Christmas Appeal has begun helping support families in need this Christmas season.

Seven agencies in the Coastal Bend connected the Caller-Times staff with struggling families to share their stories with readers and help raise donations. These donations help the families buy Christmas gifts for their young ones that they could otherwise not afford.

So far, $36,958 has been raised for Children's Christmas Appeal this year. That's a 28% decrease compared to this time last year.

Since 1973, the Caller-Times has reported the struggle of needy children and their families during the holiday season. All of the money donated to the Christmas Appeal campaign benefits the children because all overhead costs are borne by the Caller-Times, United Way of the Coastal Bend and participating agencies.
Since 1973, the Caller-Times has reported the struggle of needy children and their families during the holiday season. All of the money donated to the Christmas Appeal campaign benefits the children because all overhead costs are borne by the Caller-Times, United Way of the Coastal Bend and participating agencies.

Tiffany Collie, executive director of Odyssey After School Enrichment Program in Rockport, said her agency provides after-school care with enrichment and tutoring programs year-round. But during Christmastime, it helps provide families with Walmart gift cards to purchase items for the holiday.

"Our goal is to help ease the parents' burden of Christmas, financially," Collie said, "to help them purchase things for their children and not have to stress between Christmas or paying bills."

Collie recalled a grandmother raising her grandson who was helped by the Christmas Appeal campaign. When Collie asked the woman if she needed help, she started to cry, Collie said.

The grandmother was about to buy her grandson only one gift, but was hoping to get him one more that he desperately wanted.

"She was having to choose between buying a meal for Christmas or buying him that gift," Collie said. "With the funds we received from the Christmas Appeal, she was able to do both."

This year, Collie is hoping people donate more than ever.

"I know times are hard for everyone," Collie said. "With the price of groceries going up because of inflation, people are struggling. They're struggling to be able to feed their families, provide the basic needs and have a good Christmas."

Collie said she hopes when families donate, they help their children understand that they should always help those who are less fortunate.

"Everyone needs help and everyone should help," Collie said.

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.

Donations as of Dec. 9, 2022

  • In honor of my Dura granddaughters

  • In honor of William D. Bonilla

  • In memory of Ralph Alcala

  • In memory of David Allison

  • 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 Clevia Braselton

  • In memory of Barry Brown

  • In memory of Evalynn Bunk

  • In memory of Xavier Canales

  • In memory of Hector Alberto Casares

  • In memory of Clarissa Chapa-Radke

  • In memory of Simon Clarich

  • In memory of James W. Cottingham

  • In memory of Ann Curry

  • In memory of Fred Curry

  • In memory of Clara and Dick Davy

  • In memory of Grace Dobson

  • In memory of Ms. Anne F. 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 Elizabeth Hansen

  • In memory of Carle and Fred Heinsohn

  • In memory of Jim Hensley

  • In memory of James E. Hicks

  • In memory of Tony Hill

  • In memory of Nicolas, Celia and Elia Huerta

  • In memory of Tom and Edwina Hunt

  • In memory of Iris Lehrman

  • 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. Munsell

  • In memory of Jose M. Nino

  • In memory of Jane Noe

  • In memory of Mr. and Mrs. F.C. Payne

  • In memory of Travis A.  Peeler

  • In memory of Jon Paul Reyes

  • In memory of Abel, Cande and Frank Salazar

  • In memory of Fred Smith

  • In memory of Frank Sumney

  • In memory of Frank and Carrie Veselka

  • In memory of Rev. and Mrs. F.A. Walton

  • In memory of Mr. & 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 of M.G. Sr. and Ruth Wright

  • In memory of Joseph Zelum

  • Chris Adler

  • Sunil and Parveen Ahuja

  • Jim Barnette

  • Kathy and Rob Black

  • Ruben and Rose Bonilla

  • Michael Brewer

  • Julie Bush

  • Mario Capetillo

  • Dr. John and Nicole Carroll

  • Robin B. Carter

  • Linda and Felix Castillo

  • Joe and Margie Chavez

  • Jeff and Teresa Cobbs

  • Joy and Don Cramer

  • Marilyn Dazey

  • David and Gail Drown

  • The Estill Foundation

  • Ada Weil Fish

  • Marlis Frank

  • Mr. and Mrs. Roman Garcia

  • June Gildersleeve

  • Sally L. Goldston

  • Susan and G. Gonzales

  • Bernard and Kim Seger

  • Emmett and Nora Faye Harris

  • Ms. Patricia Harris

  • David Harvey and family

  • Fred W. Heldenfels III

  • Ken and Laurel Herring

  • Mark and Jeri Johnstone

  • Susie Killion

  • Helen Koether

  • Dr. and Mrs. Michael Lecompte

  • Frank and Jan Luckay

  • Lucy McCracken

  • John and Linda McGowan

  • Mary Ann and John McGregor

  • Ron and Dylcia McKenzie

  • Christina J. Middleton

  • Mike and Janet Miller

  • John S. Miller

  • Angela and Paul Montagna

  • Donald K. and Dr. Vickie C. Natale

  • Bob and Jeanette Roper

  • Phyllis Roseman

  • Ricardo Sanchez

  • Cathy and Jack Scholl

  • John Shreves

  • Debra Stuart

  • Sue Thompson

  • L.B. and Tina Tomerlin

  • Ben and Flora Trujillo

  • Rae H. Turnbull

  • Carlos and Consuelo Valdez

  • George Wehl

  • Jim and Sylvia Whitworth

  • Charlie and Linda Zahn

HOW TO DONATE

Here are 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: Christmas Appeal: Here's how to help South Texas kids for the holidays