The holiday spirit was alive and well in Heath, Texas, as the city hosted Rockwall County’s first-ever Toys for Tots drive.
Hundreds of residents turned out on Thursday to donate toys, with schools and organizations teaming up to brighten the season for children in need.
The event, organized by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and FOX 4, marked a significant milestone for Rockwall County, which had not previously participated in the decades-old Toys for Tots initiative. Jeff Skinner, the county’s Toys for Tots coordinator and a Marine veteran, shared his personal connection to the campaign. “Growing up in Mesquite, I was a kid who needed toys,” he said. “Being a Marine, it just made sense to bring this here.”
Students across the county joined the cause, and the event offered family-friendly activities, including bounce houses, gingerbread house decorating, and even artificial snow. Jennifer Jones, a mother of a Rockwall cheerleader who volunteered, praised the community’s efforts. “Seeing all these boxes lined up and knowing where these toys are going is heartwarming,” she said.
Hundreds of toys were collected, with donations earmarked for programs like CASA and foster children.
Skinner expressed gratitude for the community’s generosity, saying, “Knowing these kids will have a Christmas when they might not have had one—I sleep peacefully because of that.”
The event showcased the strength of community collaboration, with local schools, families, and businesses contributing to its success. Organizers hope this will become an annual tradition in Rockwall County.
The next Toys for Tots drive is scheduled for Friday in Waxahachie at Railyard Park on College Street from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Residents are encouraged to drop off new, unwrapped toys to support children in need across North Texas.
Visit Toys for Tots’ website and find a drop-off location near you for a complete list of events.