3rd Annual Bring Joy to a Refugee Child in SA Toy, 12-5-19

Dear Tejano Friends, 

As you know we are currently underway in our 3rd Annual Toy Drive. This project started back in September of 2013 when we came together as Young Tejanos but foremost as students to do something for our community that was significant with meaningful impact. 

That summer with the help of community organizations we gave clothes to more than 200 refugee families as they went back to school. We might take clothes for granted, but those that come to our city with literally nothing but the clothes on their back this was more significant than we could ever comprehend. 

We know made a tremendous impact impact that day. We saw children pick out clothes to change to go to school, we saw young women find slacks and dress blouses to change into for work and job interviews, and we saw mothers and fathers find coats for the winter for their families.

As the Holiday Season approached us we reflected on how much we have been blessed and we decided that there is no other better time to reach out to our friends and neighbors in need than Christmas.  

Before anyone else decided to host a toy drive for our little brothers and sisters, we as a group of students from the University of the Incarnate Word, St. Mary's University, University of Texas at San Antonio, and high school students from Central Catholic stood up and came together to host 'Bring JOY to a Refugee Child in SA Toy Drive'.

With the help of community members, local small business like SA Popsand Nick's Drug and Beauty Supply, and community organizations such as The Brown Berets of San Antonio and Mystic Knights Car Club, we were able to grow our annual toy drive to a citywide effort. We are happy to come together once again and celebrate our third year!

For the past two years we have assisted our new neighbors by bringing toys for the children and much needed clothes for the families that now call San Antonio their home. 

Both years combined, we have gifted toys to over 600 families and this year will be our most ambitious year. We are expecting to serve 400 families in the Auburn Creek Apartments and Wurzbach Manor Communities, but we can’t do it without you and your support!

Please join us by donating toys (slightly used or brand new) to any of the following locations around the city between now to December 19th:

SA Pops (3420 N Saint Mary’s. St, San Antonio, Texas 7821) Hours: Thursday 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Friday & Saturday 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Nick's Drug and Beauty Supply (733 N New Braunfels Ave, San Antonio, Texas 78202) Hours: Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

La Joyeria Internacional (6996 S Zarzamora St, San Antonio, Texas 78224) Hours: Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

Ideas Unlimited (5213 Bandera Rd, San Antonio, Texas 78238) Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Delivery of toys will be held on Sunday December 20, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the parking lot of Auburn Creek Apartments in what we are calling 'Trunks of Gifts'. We will be directly delivering the toys gathered to the families of this community and we hope you can join us.  

Volunteers will be in great need, please email us at bcyoungtejanodems@gmail.com for more information.

Thank you to Joseph Nazaroff of our parent organization and Mr. Joe Aguilar of the West Side Sol and Overtime Sports for the opportunity!