The holiday months are such a joyous time of year. Festive decorations are featured throughout the community, stores are playing Christmas carols and promoting holiday shopping, and families come together to remember the reason for the season. During this time, I think it is important to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the community to help those less fortunate than us. Most families have a merry Christmas morning gathered around the Christmas tree opening presents. Unfortunately, many children and seniors do not have the same experience. In order to make Christmas morning as special as possible, there are several organizations throughout the community that work really hard to make sure that everyone has food to eat and presents to open. Let me tell you about some of these programs and how your family can help spread the holiday cheer!
1. The U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for TotsProgram is a nationwide program that collects new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distributes those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the local community. You can find drop boxes at the following locations around town.
College Station
Bryan
2. The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program has successfully provided over 36,000 disadvantaged children and seniors with presents for over 123 years. I encourage you to participate by simply going to one of the Angel Tree Locations found below between November 17 and December 22 and choosing an “angel” from the tree to buy a gift for.
College Station
Post Oak Mall
Wal-Mart
Chick-fil-A
MSC- Texas A&M Campus
Brenham National Bank
HEB- Tower Point & Villa Maria
Bryan
Bealls- Bryan Tejas Center
Cracker Barrel
Prosperity Bank- S. Texas Ave
Keep Brazos Beautiful
Wal-Mart
Chick-fil-a
3. The Brazos Valley Food Bank is an organization that collects food donations and then re-distributes them to local partners such as nonprofit organizations and church sponsored pantries. These organizations then provide food to those in need. Small-scale donations of food (a few bags or boxes, as opposed to a van or pick-up truck full of food) can be dropped off at the Brazos Valley Food Bank any time between 9 am and 3:00 pm Monday-Friday. They keep bins ready to receive donations. The Brazos Valley Food Bank is located at 1514 Shiloh Avenue in the Brazos County Industrial Park off of 2818. Items they currently need are:
If you wish to donate and do not require a receipt for your donation, the following stores have Brazos Valley Food Bank bins in their establishment:
Kroger – Boonville Road
Kroger – Longmire
Kroger- Southwest Parkway/ Texas Ave. S.
Happy Holidays!!
