Marines will be on hand to collect new, unwrapped toys at every Harbor Lights Festival and La Posada holiday event in the city. Donations can be brought to the Illuminated Boat Parade, the Children’s Parade, Santa’s Snowball Express and the La Posada parades and more. The toys will be collected and distributed to kids in need. Below, check out details for how to help and where to go to donate.
TO VOLUNTEER
Teams of volunteers are needed to work in the warehouse sorting toys and at Sunrise Mall organizing and distributing toys. Groups or individuals wanting to help can contact Toys for Tots coordinator Staff Sgt. Andres Moratalla Jr. directly or through the website at corpus-christi-tx.toysfortots.org.
KIDS IN NEED
Kids in need can sign up to receive gifts from Toys for Tots either in person at Sunrise Mall or online. Organizations and churches can collect toys for kids they know who are in need as well. Register the kids in need online, and representatives from the organizations can pick up the toys at Sunrise Mall, Moratalla said.
Any organization that would like to become a toy drop site, host a Toys for Tots event or have Moratalla speak to its members about volunteering and donating can contact him at (361) 961-1594 or toysfortotscctx@gmail.com.
TO DONATE TOYS OR MONEY
Donations of money or toys are welcome, Moratalla said. He’s happy to deposit the funds into the foundation bank account and then go buy the toys himself but doesn’t want anyone to miss the joy it brings.
“If you don’t know what to get, think like a kid,” he said. “Have a good time with it. Feel good about it. Buy something you or a kid you know would love to have.”
Toys can be donated through participating organizations, at a variety of public events, including La Posada and the Harbor Lights Parade, or on location at Sunrise Mall. Monetary donations can be made via the website at corpus-christi-tx.toysfortots.org.
You can bring toys to the following events:
SATURDAY, DEC. 5
Harbor Lights Festival
1-9 p.m.
Shoreline Boulevard, Corpus Christi
The 34th annual Harbor Lights Festival is Corpus Christi’s unique celebration to light up the holiday season. The fun begins at 1 p.m. with the Children's Parade along Shoreline Boulevard. A children's activity area opens at 3 p.m. along with live music on the main entertainment stage. The tree-lighting ceremony begins at 6 p.m. followed by Santa's Snowball Express Motorcade at 6:45 p.m. and a concert at 7 p.m. The Port of Corpus Christi Illuminated Boat Parade circles from the Peoples Street T-Head to the Lawrence Street T-Head beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Port Royal Christmas tree lighting
5-6 p.m.
Port Royal Ocean Resort & Conference Center
6317 Texas 361, Port Aransas
Join Santa from 5-6 p.m. as he lights the tree. Enjoy live music, entertainment, hot cocoa and photos with Santa.
SUNDAY, DEC. 6
Christmas Land Parade with the fire department
6 p.m.
Briscoe King Pavilion
5820 SPID, Corpus Christi
Firetrucks bring Santa to Padre Island in a holiday parade starting at 6 p.m. Dec. 6.
FRIDAY, DEC. 11, TO SATURDAY, DEC. 12
6 p.m. both nights
La Posada Lighted Boat Parades
Canals of the Laguna Madre, Corpus Christi
Each year, two evenings are selected FOR holiday boat parades, each on a different route and both beginning at 6 p.m. The north canal route is a smaller venue held on Friday, while the Saturday parade will sail along the south canal route. The biggest of the two, the Saturday boat parade, includes 40-50 boats competing for best decorations.