Texan Mosaic

by MICHAELA CHAMBLEE//Staff Writer

Every year, starting in the fall, the Marine Toys for Tots foundation starts collecting toys and donations for families around the country.

Toys for Tots gives everyone in the community the chance to give to a child in need, or even volunteer to help, become a toy site or even make donations online. You can donate in honor, or in memory, to a certain individual or family.

“We help give back to all the kids who don’t get a Christmas,” said Keylan Kneisel, an active Marine based in Lubbock. “It helps families be able to give their kids a better Christmas than what they would have if Toys for Tots wasn’t around.”

There are many places to drop toys off, in Lubbock, such as: Scoggin-Dickey Chevrolet; Value Place Lubbock; Gene Messer Chevrolet; Main Event Entertainment; The Cakery; Yellowhouse Machinery Co.; Mobile Destination-Verizon Wireless; The Preserve at Prairie Pointe; Cricket Wireless; Hilliard Office Solutions; Helzberg Diamonds; Iggy’s Italian Ice; Wild West Harley-Davidson; Silent Wings Museum; The Buddy Holly Center; The Vision Center of West Texas; UC Physicians-South-West Medical; UMC North West Pediatric Clinic; Dirt City; Billy Sims Trailer Town; UMCP Pediatric Associates of Lubbock; Jazzy Taps Dancewear; Nova Medical Centers; Clarion Grand Park Hotel; Ashley HomeStore; Armstrong Plumbing, Air and Electric; Backstage; Samuels Diamonds; The Library Bar; VGs Cuts; Faux Real Hari Design Studio; Hayes Motor Company; Alderson Auto Group; NTS Communications; Regal Park Medical Center; Buffalo Wild Wings; Custom Teleconnect, Inc.; The Fountains Apartments; Quest & Sons Inc.; UMC Physicians at Milwaukee Family Medicine; Christian Brothers Automotive.

“I love doing Toys for Tots,” said Kneisel. “There is no better feeling than the look on the families’ faces when we bring in the toys to them. Even knowing that the children will be happy when they open it Christmas morning.

For more information, visit toysfortots.org, find your county, and help a child have a wonderful holiday.