Written by Ben Cox – Area children who may not have gotten much for Christmas this year will have presents under the tree, thanks to that famous Brownwood generosity.

Promoted by area radio stations, Toys for Kids is an annual tradition for Brownwood. Organized by the Grand Starz Bingo Hall, the annual event raises toys and money to provide for the needy in the area.

Stace Hetzel, whose family runs the organization, said “Overwhelming is an understatement. I’m always very emotional during this process, it never gets old. Every year presents different families with needs and this community continues to fulfill their wants each and every year. I guess the perfect word for today would be BLESSED!”

Carl Wayne, morning show host for KOXE radio said “It was an incredible day for our 13th annual Two-Steppin’ for Toys at the studios of KOXE. On behalf of the Brown County Toys for Kids we would like to thank everyone who participated this year by volunteering or donating, collecting, whatever the case may be. At the end of the day we collected just under 1900 toys and bicycles and just under $8300 in cash for the Brown County Toys for Kids.”

Wayne says the abundance of donations is moving. “The generosity of the community never ceases to amaze me. Lots of kids in Brown County will have a very special Christmas that might not otherwise because of your compassion and generosity.”

Rex Tackett, owner of Wendlee Broadcasting said that during their Brian Wade Toys for Kids drive his company raised “Around $8200 in cash, and we didn’t bother counting the toys, but I can tell you we had about a half a football fields worth, all stretched out down the sidewalk! When we loaded it all up, we had Marc Followell’s box truck full to the roof, and we also loaded down the big Bostick truck we use every year. It’s a great feeling!”

Tackett continued “This is about the kids. Period. There are more kids this year than last year. If you think about it: they had 1400 kids last year, they have 1600 this year. At three toys per child, that’s at least 600 more toys they need to have! $16,000 will go a long way for the kids of the area.”

Toys for Kids has been in operation for 21 years, started in 1997 by Dennis and Wanda Thacker. Wanda continued the drive after Dennis passed away in ’06.

After the outpouring from the community on a day like this, one thing is for sure: Santa Claus is real, and he lives in Brown County.