MANSFIELD COMMUNITY GIVES BIG AT ANNUAL TOY DRIVE
For more than a decade ,
Mansfield ISD has partnered with the U . S . Marine Corps Reserve to support their mission of spreading the joy of the season to families in need . Wednesday , Nov . 30 , the MISD community dusted off their holiday spirit and showed up by the thousands to be a part of the district ’ s annual event Toys for Tots Celebration .
“ This is MISD ’ s eleventh year to participate in Toys for Tots and every year I am blown away by the generosity of our community ,” said MISD Superintendent Dr . Kimberley Cantu . “ People line up as far as you can see to make donations . This year , we were able to collect more than 16,000 toys and $ 20,000 .”
This year ’ s event featured a partnership between MISD and The City of Mansfield , creating a campaign that will ensure every donation made at the event will go directly to MISD families .
“ The City of Mansfield has always enjoyed a close relationship with MISD ,” said Mansfield Mayor Michael Evans . “ We are thrilled to partner with the district for this incredible event . People show up ready to give back , celebrate , and kick off the holiday season .”
MISD campuses will continue to accept donations of new , unwrapped toys through Dec . 15 . The drive ’ s greatest need is for toys appropriate for children ages 8-16 . Monetary donations can also be made by scanning the QR code above ..
In addition to the toy drive , MISD ’ s event featured live student performances , a sledding hill , food , games , and photos with the big man himself – Santa ! New this year , kids enjoyed ‘ Engineering the Holidays .’ The fun , interactive area provided STEAM activities including making ornaments with 3D printer pens , creating holiday cards using simple circuits , engineering ‘ snowball launchers ’ and more . The area was made possible by A Mansfield ISD Education Foundation grant sponsored by Mouser Electronics .
Also new this year , the event featured special accommodations and activities specifically designed for event-goers with sensory sensitivities .
“ Our goal each year is to make this event bigger , to spread more joy and to collect as many donations as possible ,” said Flo Torres , Center Director of MISD ’ s Dr . Jim Vaszauskas Center for the Performing Arts . “ An event like this takes a lot planning , teamwork and the support of generous sponsors and partners , but it is all worth it to see the kids and their families enjoying themselves .”
Sponsors including The City of Mansfield , Academy Sports Mansfield , Methodist Mansfield Medical Center , Texas Trust Gives Foundation , Texas Health Hospital Mansfield , Atmos Energy and Oncor / TXU provided cash donations and other sponsorships . Toys for Tots media partner Fox 4 broadcasted live from the event .
The Toys for Tots event kicked off Hometown Holidays , a combined celebration with MISD and the City of Mansfield . On Dec . 1 , The City of Mansfield lit up the sky with their tree lighting and fireworks show . Friday , Dec . 2 , the skies lit up again with the Mansfield drone show and MISD ’ s dance teams performed to holiday music at the Dec . 3 Dance Spectacular .
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