Caller-Times Christmas Appeal: Donate to spread cheer to children in need

John Oliva, Corpus Christi Caller Times
·3 min read

The Caller-Times Children's Christmas Appeal is starting off with great generosity from the Coastal Bend community.

So far, thanks to donors, $16,915 has been raised for the annual Christmas campaign.

As of the same time last year, the Children's Appeal had raised $35,668.

The Odyssey After School Enrichment Program in Rockport is one of the seven agencies helping raise money for unfortunate children in South Texas, and Executive Director Tiffany Collie said the campaign gives a child Christmas and keeps the spirit of the holiday alive.

Collie said she remembered a father raising three kids while working three jobs and struggling to make ends meet.

"We were able to help him that year with Christmas when he didn't know how he was going to make the holiday happen for his kids," Collie said. "That was all due to the Children's Appeal. The funding helped his kids have a great Christmas in their home."

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.

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. 7, 2023

  • In memory of Wretha Bradshaw

  • In memory of Dr. Jack L. Braselton

  • In memory of Billy Chapa-Radke

  • In memory of Clarissa Day

  • In memory of Rosa Lee Dreiling

  • In memory of Dean Dreiling

  • In memory of Mary Rose Eikel

  • In memory of Randy Hansen

  • In memory of Elizabeth Hathaway

  • In memory of Astrid Lavinia Kellam

  • In memory of Jack Lehrman

  • In memory of Iris Mack

  • In memory of Sharon McKinley

  • In memory of Bob Nino

  • In memory of Jose M. Noe

  • In memory of Jane F. Peeler

  • In memory of Travis A. Pruitt

  • In memory of Eli Rash

  • In memory of Loyd Reyes

  • In memory of Jon Paul Sanchez

  • In memory of Manuel Spear

  • In memory of Marth Gierhart Sumney

  • In memory of Frank F. Whittington

  • In memory of Jarrett Ryan

  • Jim Barnette

  • Melissa and Sam Beecroft

  • Kathy and Rob Black

  • Michael Brewer

  • Dr. John and Nicole Carroll

  • Luis and Angie Cuevas

  • Elizabeth DuPont

  • Ada Weil Fish

  • Kim and Bernard Seger

  • Patricia A. Harris

  • David and Carol Harvey

  • Colleen Johnson and Brian Miller

  • Jeri and Mark Johnstone

  • Mrs. T. Killion

  • Annette and Mel Klein

  • Jacqueline Klein-Katz

  • Jenna Klein

  • Catalina and Caden Klein

  • Jan and Frank Luckay

  • Ron and Dylicia McKenzie

  • Mike and Janet Miller

  • Angela and Paul Montagna

  • Mr. and Mrs. Gerry Morrow

  • Donald K. and Dr. Vickie M. Natale

  • Dr. James L. Owens

  • Nikki Parker

  • Ed and Rita Reed

  • John Wood and Pat Schackleford

  • John Shreves

  • Henry Durward Thompson

  • George Wehl

  • Patsy G. Whitehurst

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)

*Donate online at www.uwcb.org. Look for the Christmas Appeal logo.

*Text ChristmasAppeal (no spaces) to 41444 to make a donation.

Please donate to the Caller-Times Children's Christmas Appeal.
Please donate to the Caller-Times Children's Christmas Appeal.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Caller-Times Christmas Appeal: Keep the spirit of Christmas alive