Needy Families Collect Extra Gifts This Year From Donations
By: Brendaliss Gonzalez
Updated: December 21, 2012
It's a kids dream come true.
Thousands of toys to choose from.
But this time its the parents that feel like they've won big.
Yolanda Bonilla never imagined she'd have the chance to place as many toys as she will under her Christmas tree this year.
"This is a big big blessing," she said.
It's been a tough few years economically for the single mom.
"So just knowing that they're going to have a Christmas which I otherwise couldn't afford, it does a lot for our family," said Bonilla.
That's something that even volunteers like Debbie Day can relate to and it's one of the reasons why shes continues to volunteer year after year.
"I was a single mom and I'm paying forward because at one point I needed that help," said Day.
Bonilla has depended on these donations for the past few Christmases, but this year she'll get to have even more toys to hide under the tree.
"I had over 50 sponsors this year that I didn't have in the past," said 1st Lt. Dale Frerich who is in charge of organizing the drive in Abilene, "Every year the people in the Big Country just surprise me more and more with their giving and what they want to do and how they want to help out the children."
That's an extra load off of Bonilla's back.
Yet no matter how many times shes participated, her appreciation never seems to dwindle.
"I've got 5 kids, my two little ones are twins so it helps a lot," she said.
So as Bonilla grabs her bags full of toys, she's got a bigger smile on her face knowing she can give her family the Christmas they wished for.
Thousands of toys to choose from.
But this time its the parents that feel like they've won big.
Yolanda Bonilla never imagined she'd have the chance to place as many toys as she will under her Christmas tree this year.
"This is a big big blessing," she said.
It's been a tough few years economically for the single mom.
"So just knowing that they're going to have a Christmas which I otherwise couldn't afford, it does a lot for our family," said Bonilla.
That's something that even volunteers like Debbie Day can relate to and it's one of the reasons why shes continues to volunteer year after year.
"I was a single mom and I'm paying forward because at one point I needed that help," said Day.
Bonilla has depended on these donations for the past few Christmases, but this year she'll get to have even more toys to hide under the tree.
"I had over 50 sponsors this year that I didn't have in the past," said 1st Lt. Dale Frerich who is in charge of organizing the drive in Abilene, "Every year the people in the Big Country just surprise me more and more with their giving and what they want to do and how they want to help out the children."
That's an extra load off of Bonilla's back.
Yet no matter how many times shes participated, her appreciation never seems to dwindle.
"I've got 5 kids, my two little ones are twins so it helps a lot," she said.
So as Bonilla grabs her bags full of toys, she's got a bigger smile on her face knowing she can give her family the Christmas they wished for.
