Third Coast Church donates 105 stuffed stockings to Corpus Christi ISD students in need
Corpus Christi ISD social workers teamed up with a local church to help lift Christmas spirits to children in need.
Lynda Ramirez and Veronica Flores reached out to different agencies and nonprofits, informing them the district has kids who need basic necessities, including socks, underwear and toothbrushes.
Third Coast Church donated 105 stockings that include socks, gloves, gift cards, hats, bubbles, chalk, stickers, candy, coloring books and stuffed toys, said ministry director Kara Coffey.
"This particular donation we're receiving today, we wanted to make it a Christmas stocking donation that would include some of those basic needs along with a Christmas gift," Flores said.
The donations will go to schools with greater numbers of low-income families, Flores said.
Ramirez said they plan on sharing the donations with Gibson, Oak Park and Zavala elementary schools, but low-income students at schools such as Sanders, Schanen Estates or Browne may also benefit.
Since this is the first year with this stocking donation, Ramirez said they wanted to focus on students in kindergarten through seventh grade.
"So many of our kids, especially our economically disadvantaged kids, sometimes don't get anything for Christmas," Ramirez said. "When you're 6 or 8, you still believe in Santa Claus. We just want to make sure the spirit of Christmas stays alive for our children."
Coffey said she knew her congregation had to help out the school district when she spoke with Ramirez.
"We started announcing at our church and social media that we were collecting 100 stuffed stockings for kids," Coffey said. "People showed up and donated and we ended up with 105 stockings. Our Women's Community was able to write notes and stuff them into the stockings, as well."
Coffey said the stockings include socks, gloves, gift cards, hats, bubbles, chalk, stickers, candy, coloring books and stuffed toys.
Ramirez said she thinks the congregation embodied wanting to be part of the community and give back to the community.
"I definitely feel that it's so easy to be a little kind and generous," Ramirez said. "This is the time of the year we have to put forth, especially for our students."
The stockings will be distributed sometime during the week of Dec. 13.
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John Oliva covers education and community news in South Texas. Consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to the Caller-Times.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Church donates 105 stockings to Corpus Christi ISD students in need
