As part of the annual Toys for Tots drive, the district will host a community celebration tomorrow at 5 p.m. at the Dr. Jim Vaszauskas Center for the Performing Arts.
“We coordinate with every campus as well as local businesses to collect toys for our community,” campaign coordinator Flo Torres-Adkins said. “Our Toys for Tots event on December 4th is when we come together to celebrate everyone’s efforts and offer free holiday fun to our families.”
Toys for Tots is run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve, with chapters across the country. While the actual program was founded in 1947, this is Mansfield’s 13th year with the program.
“When I worked at the Allen Events Center, I was the Director of Marketing. Later, when I came to work in Mansfield, I brought the event with me,” Torres-Adkins said. “Each year, we like to add something new and keep growing the event to support our community.”
New to the celebration is a Candy Cane Lane and a light tunnel to Santa. There will also be food trucks, an ice hill, train rides and performances by students like previous years.
“ASL signing Choir has been involved in Toys for Tots for years. I remember being apart of it when I was taking ASL classes from 2012-2015,” ASL teacher Mackenzie Goff-Bonneau said. “All of our ASL students are encouraged to participate from every high school in MISD. We will be on the stage in front of the Performing Arts Center and sign Jingle Bell Rock, Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.”
There is no fee to enter the event, although people are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy to donate.
“I have not gone to the event before, so I don’t know what to expect,” sophomore Sky Gonzalez said. “I’m excited to see what it’s going to be like.”
More information about donating or receiving toys can be found on the Mansfield Toys for Tots website.
“Each year, we set up the toys on the front steps of the Center. It is always such an incredible display of the love our community shows for each other,” Torres-Adkins said. “Toys for Tots is the perfect opportunity to create a joyful family holiday event while supporting our community too. We love doing it every year and can’t wait to share this year’s event as well!”
