With Christmas approaching fast, the Northside Toy Drive is once again rallying the community to help ensure that every local child experiences some holiday joy. Donations have already started arriving, but organizers say the need is still far from being met. For many families, this time of year brings not only excitement, but also real financial stress. That’s where the toy drive steps in—turning community generosity into moments of relief and happiness for hundreds of children.
Each year, the organization hosts its elegant Black Tie Affair fundraiser, and shortly after, volunteers shift their focus to preparing for the annual toy giveaway party. This event is at the heart of the Northside Toy Drive’s mission. Families from across the area attend, many facing challenges that make the holiday season especially heavy. A single toy may seem small, but for a child who might otherwise go without, it can transform the entire season.
Board member Hugh Sessions Jr. emphasizes that the effort is about more than holiday gifts. While toys are the spark that draw people in, the broader goal is to support families during a time when many are dealing with emotional or financial strain. He notes that recent hardships—from economic uncertainty to mental health struggles—have left many families stretched thin. Offering help without judgment, he says, is a way of reminding neighbors that none of us truly knows what burdens others carry. Small acts of kindness, especially during the holidays, can make an enormous difference.
This year’s giveaway will be more robust than ever. Organizers are preparing a wide range of supportive services that go beyond the usual festivities. Families attending the event can expect access to social service resources, basic health screenings such as vision and dental checks, and even a job fair designed to connect adults with potential employers. While the day is undoubtedly hectic for volunteers, it remains fueled by a strong sense of community spirit and purpose.
Helping out is easier than many people realize. Picking up an extra toy while shopping is one of the simplest ways to contribute, and every single item donated goes directly to a child in the local area. Sessions encourages anyone who is able—even those who may not feel they have much to spare—to consider giving from the heart. Generosity, he explains, often has a way of coming full circle, offering emotional rewards to both the giver and the receiver.
Organizers are accepting new, unwrapped toys as well as monetary donations, and community drop-off sites are available for convenience. The deadline for toy donations is December 9, giving residents ample time to participate.
The Northside Toy Drive Toy Giveaway will take place on December 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Palo Duro High School Activity Center. No registration is required, though children must be present to receive a toy.
For Sessions and the volunteers, the greatest reward is witnessing the joy that fills the room each year—children lighting up with excitement, parents releasing some of their seasonal stress, and volunteers grateful to be part of something meaningful. In a season defined by giving, the Northside Toy Drive continues to prove how powerful community compassion can be.
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