Caller-Times Christmas Appeal: Donate and spread the holiday spirit to children in need

The generosity from the Coastal Bend is continuing to pour in.

So far, thanks to donors across the Coastal Bend, $46,808 has been raised for the Caller-Times Children's Christmas Appeal.

As of the same time last year, the campaign had raised $62,141.

The Boys & Girls Club of Alice is one of the seven agencies helping raise money for unfortunate children in South Texas, and organization Director Rick Del Bosque said the nonprofit has been part of the Christmas Appeal for about 50 years. He said that without the campaign, some children would not be able to have a good Christmas.

"There's nothing like seeing children's eyes glisten as they unwrap presents on Christmas," Del Bosque said. "It's a real warm and fuzzy feeling."

Del Bosque said the Boys & Girls Club of Alice runs various programs for kids aged 6 through 18. Though everyone is still getting back on their feet since the pandemic, he said, it's essential for the community to donate and help children.

"Every dollar given is so vital and important," Del Bosque said. "Christmas is truly a season to make these kids happy and know they are loved."

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. 15, 2022

• In honor of William D. Bonilla

• 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 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 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 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 Jaqueline Glenn

• 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 Joe Hlavik

• In memory of Martha Hlavik

• In memory of Nicolas, Celia and Elia Huerta

• In memory of Tom and Edwina Hunt

• In memory of James and Margaret Kaylor

• In memory of Allen Lebowitz

• In memory of Iris Lehrman

• In memory of Mauricio Rene Martinez

• In memory of Ruby Mauch

• 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 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 Mr. and Mrs. Facundo Rodriguez

• In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Raul S. Rodriguez

• In memory of Rick Roekle

• In memory of Abel Cande and Frank Salazar

• In memory of Fred 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

• Kathy and Rob Black

• Ruben and Rose Bonilla

• Michael Brewer

• Debbie Bruner

• Julie Bush

• Mario Catetillo

• Dr. John and Nicole Carroll

• Robin B. Carter

• Linda and Felix 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 Dowlnig

• 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

• 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

• Mark and Jeri Johnstone

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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: Caller-Times Christmas Appeal: Donate and spread the holiday spirit