Every year, when the holidays roll around, Meridian senior, Charlotte Whitaker keeps the season of giving close to her heart.
Since the 3rd grade, Whitaker has hosted a toy drive to make donations for children at the Texas Baptist Children’s Home. “I drove past the Baptist Home every day, and I asked my dad what it was. I wanted to help them,” Whitaker says.
The Baptist Children’s Home hosts many foster children in need of support. When Christmas comes around, Whitaker contributes toys to make their holidays brighter. “The mom and dad of the house go to this big gym where all the toys are set up, and they ‘shop’ for the toys to give to the kids,” she explains.
She began her toy drive by placing donation boxes in schools, local art galleries, restaurants, and her church. However, it is now primarily online. “During COVID, I had to get really creative, so I created a public Amazon wish list and sent it out all over social media. I still have a box at my church, but we try to keep it more online, and now we receive more cash donations,” she shares.
She is continually amazed by the generosity of others. “People are crazy generous. Some have given me hundreds of dollars to buy toys for these kids,” Charlotte says.
This year, Charlotte has collected over 330 donations and has big plans for the future of her toy drive. “Our goal right now is to turn it into a non-profit organization and get it recognized by the state,” she says. She also hopes to expand the drive to support other organizations, not just the Baptist Children’s Home.
Charlotte’s toy drive has been a vital part of the Texas Baptist Children’s Home for years, showing no signs of stopping.
It’s important to remember that the true meaning of the holidays is the gift of giving.
