Over the last two months Texas State Guard (State Defense Force) troops have been out in the field, utilizing their off duty time to collect and distribute toys for Children. Last year they managed to distribute over 100,000 toys, this year they set another massive goal of 200,000.
This program known as ‘The Young Heroes of the Guard Toy Drive’ provides toys for Children in Need throughout Texas. The State Guard visits schools, hospitals, daycares, & shelters to ensure every child gets a toy this holiday season.
Now as Christmas is only a few days away, The Texas State Guard has been doubling up their effort to accomplish this years monumental goal of 200K.
Texas State Guard service members from Charlie Company, 4th Battalion, from Lubbock and Amarillo, provided smiles to children providing toys to children at the Maggie Trejo Center “Poncho Claus” event, University Medical Center, Lubbock,Tx, Covenant Medical Center, YWCA of Lubbock, and Home Community of Shalom Children’s Center. Over 2,704 toys were collected between both locations. Great job on th Texas State Guard – Young Heroes of the Guard toy drive! #Texas #toys #Duty #Honor #Texas
Wanting to help, The Rio Grande High Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) worked with The Texas State Guard to collect and distribute toys for Elementary School children.
1Bn Delta Co. SGT Garza in collaboration with Rio Grande High ROTC held a toy drive on the 15th of this month in which 149 toys collected and were then distributed to the special needs units and Elementary kids PK-3 through 4.
Troops from The 2nd Brigade visited The Children’s Memorial Hospital in Houston to distribute toys. Assisted by The Hospital staff they distributed over 3,600 toys and ensured every child had an incredible and joyous experience.
In what has become a tradition over the past 8 years, members of 2nd Brigade, Texas State Guard, distributed over 3,600 toys to Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, Texas, December 20, 2022.Guardsmen, joined by Captain America, paired up with Child Life specialists and hospital volunteers to visit the children to bring a toy and a little holiday cheer. The toys, including over 1,000 toy trucks donated by the Hess Corporation, selected for pediatric patients from newborn to teenage, are distributed by Child Life specialists, not only during the holiday season, but throughout the year. Alyssa Luksa, director of Child Life and Expressive Therapies, explained that the hospital depends on the Texas State Guard each year to provide toys, games, and arts and crafts to bring joy and improve the well-being of each patient. (Texas State Guard photos by Warrant Officer 1 Gregory Illich)
