Firethorne announces first-ever “Stuff the Sleigh†holiday toy drive
Katy Texas News
Posted December 7, 2010
Sleigh bells will be ringing and children joyfully singing thanks to the first-ever “Stuff the Sleigh†holiday toy drive benefiting Texas Children’s Hospital pediatric cancer patients and their siblings. Currently underway, the Katy/Fulshear-based drive will culminate with a party for the children and their families the week before Christmas, highlighted by Santa Claus reading “The Night Before Christmas†and handing out the toys to the children.
“We welcome those interested in supporting Stuff the Sleigh to stop by the Firethorne Community Center to select a sleigh gift card from the life-size Firethorne sleigh. Each sleigh/card will have one wish list item on it from a young cancer patient or their brother or sister for donors to purchase,†says Garrett Ashmore, Stuff the Sleigh co-founder/coordinator.
The Firethorne Community Center is located at 28128 N. Firethorne Rd. in Katy/Fulshear.
Ashmore and his wife, Kelli, Firethorne residents, had the idea six months ago to do something to support young cancer patients and their families to help ease their financial and emotional burdens during the holidays.
“As the parents of two healthy children, we wanted to do something to help those who may be hospital-bound this holiday season and provide them with as joy-filled, meaningful and worry-free a Christmas holiday as possible,†says Garrett.
Thus far, the Stuff the Sleigh toy drive and holiday party have received a tremendous outpouring of community support, according to Garrett. The project is the official toy drive of Cinco Charities this year, as well as the Pay It Forward project of the first graders of Odessa Kilpatrick Elementary School in Katy ISD.
The goal for Stuff the Sleigh is to continue and grow the project at the new Texas Children’s Hospital-Katy that is opening next year.
After purchasing toys, Stuff the Sleigh organizers hope to have enough additional funds to provide grocery gift cards or gas cards to the children’s families. For individuals and companies that want to participate in the Stuff the Sleigh drive, donations may be made to Stuff the Sleigh-C/O Firethorne Community Association, and mailed to 4707 Ingersoll, Houston, TX 77027. One hundred percent of the toys and monetary donations will go directly to benefit the Texas Children’s Hospital patients and their families. Please mention you found this on www.KatyMagazine.com.
