Rob Giardinelli
16th Annual Event Showcases Houston Children’s Charity’s Positive Impact & Reach To Greater Houston Area
By Rob Giardinelli Photography by Catchlight Group
On a recent Saturday afternoon during the holiday season, tens of thousands of Houstonians descended upon downtown. Instead of heading to the Toyota Center to see the Houston Rockets play, they were instead across the street at the George R. Brown Convention Center for an inspiring, impactful, event that showcased the heart, spirit, and largesse of Space City…and put smiles on so many faces.
The attendees were on hand for the 16th Annual Toy Distribution, hosted by Houston Children’s Charity. This year’s event gave 20,000 children in the greater Houston area, who otherwise may not have had the opportunity, to experience the joy of gifts during the Christmas holidays.
Attendees were selected through an application process to determine the needs of each child attending. Alongside the partnership of 70 corporations and businesses in the Houston area, the collective group was able to amass over 90,000 toys to give to families in need.
Those fortunate enough to win this year’s lottery waited outside of the George R. Brown Convention Center for their turn to receive toys just in time for Christmas. The line extended outside and around the city block-sized building full of excited, eager children alongside their parents, grandparents, guardians, and other adult figures to go inside and shop for their toys.
While guests waited their turn to head inside the George R. Brown Convention Center, they were treated to music courtesy of RadioONE Houston. The music added to the feeling of warmth and camaraderie among the guests and kept the energy high for everyone on hand to attend throughout the day.
Once inside, attendees were greeted by members of the Houston Children’s Charity Board, Houston Mayor John Whitmire, who deemed the Houston Children’s Charity’s Annual Toy Distribution the largest toy distribution event in the greater Houston Area, Houston Children’s Charity Founder, President & CEO, Laura Ward, Houston Children’s Charity Board Chair Tilman Fertitta, and scores of enthusiastic, dedicated volunteers. Each of whom could be seen smiles on their faces beaming from ear to ear, mixed in with a few tears of joy streaming down some of their faces as they watched the sheer joy and happiness among the attendees.
Attendees then went through the neatly lined and clean aisles to find the toys and gifts with plenty of staff on hand to answer any questions they had and assist guests when needed. The organization kept control of the number of people in the space at any one time so they could truly take in the moment and make the entire experience a happy, low-stress one from start to finish. On the way out, many happy guests took the opportunity to pose for images with Houston Children’s Charity board, staff, and volunteers.
This year, as with previous years the Houston Children’s Charity partnered with the Marine Corps Toys for Tots. In addition to the Houston Children’s Charity staff, board, and volunteers, attendees also got to see members of the Marine Corps Reservists in their full military attire providing a whole new level of service and leadership to the country they serve.
The great thing about this event is that it is a reminder of the giving spirit that is such an important part of the Houston…and Texas culture. What is so fantastic about an event like the 16th Annual Toy Distribution is that those who participated in, and supported, the 27th Annual Houston Children’s Charity Gala this past Fall is that they can see exactly what the funds they donated support.
In the case of Houston Children’s Charity, it is improving the quality of life for underprivileged, neglected, abused, and disabled children who otherwise may have been left behind.
