(Seguin) — Sometimes, the words “thank you” are just not enough. But after another huge turnout at our KWED Holiday Food and Toy Drive this past Friday, those words are a solid start to embracing this community-wide effort.
A truckload of new unwrapped toys was collected for the Seguin Police Department’s Blue Santa program, along with 580 pounds of food that was collected for the Christian Cupboard. The collection effort also brought in close to $7,000, which both non-profit organizations will jointly share. The Food and Toy Drive is an annual tradition for the KWED staff, and it includes great support from the community.
Seguin Mayor Donna Dodgen was among those in the streets collecting cash, coins, or donated food and toys. Dodgen helped fuel the excitement of the drive by giving our radio listeners a clear picture of that morning’s excitement.
“We have lots of wonderful people standing out in front of KWED ready to wish you a happy Holiday and put you in the spirit. There are kids everywhere, which is incredible from Navarro to Seguin to athletics to band to the young folks singing. So, please come on down and participate and get in the holiday spirit. This is an amazing endeavor and we begin to depend on these things for our community and our community gives and gives and gives and we should applaud ourselves for that and this is the time of the season and the time of the year to look at that and look back and continue to give and remember to do this all year round,” said Dodgen.
KWED was also honored to have Guadalupe County Sheriff Arnold Zwicke to represent the county. This was the last year that Zwicke would be a part of our holiday food and toy drive in his official capacity, as he is set to retire at the end of the year. Nonetheless, Zwicke shared the importance of giving not only this year but in the years to come.
“I would ask them to continue doing what Seguin and Guadalupe County have always done and that’s the giving. It’s time for giving and just making sure everybody has a good Christmas this year. That’s the most important thing,” said Zwicke.
Seguin Fire Chief Dale Skinner was also on hand to encourage others to give to this important cause.
“This is the giving time of year, and we encourage everyone to help out because not everybody can afford to have a great Christmas and this event is a great event for this great community,” said Skinner.
Seguin Police Chief Jason Brady also knows how important these donations are during this time of the year. His department for years has taken the lead in making sure that children in Seguin and Guadalupe County get some special during the Christmas season.
“This is my third year now and it’s just a wonderful tradition and I thank you guys at KWED for assisting the various organizations but of course on our end,
the Blue Santa and it’s just the opportunity to give back to this community particularly the members of the community that may be a little bit less fortunate so we are so excited to be able to provide this service and provide some gifts and make sure that something is under the tree for everybody in Seguin,” said Brady.
Chester Jenke, the president of the Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce, also gave his time to the cause. Jenke says this event just proves why calling Seguin home was the right thing for his family.
“This community is one of the most giving communities that I’ve ever worked. You know, in my 23 years in the Air Force traveling around, I’ve never been in a community that’s been quite like Seguin so I’m glad I call this home,” said Jenke.
Another regular supporter of the drive was Mary Ann Leos Smith. Smith not only represented the Seguin-Guadalupe County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce but also gave back on behalf of her business, Su Casa Café. Smith says such efforts should be important for all local businesses, whether big or small.
“I think if we give a little bit back, it’s a little touch of appreciation of letting them know that we are here because of them and we always like to do that. I think it’s important that as a community, we donate, and we give back to whatever that community gives us. I love Seguin,” said Smith.
Seguin ISD Board President Denise Crettenden and Trustee Josh Bright were also busy collecting food and toys. Bright says he understands how those gifts collected on Friday would go to many of their families.
“Just like Trustee Crettenden was saying, this is an excellent event for the community all around Guadalupe County that allows for children and families to have food and toys for the holiday season – that they wouldn’t be able to afford. There are a lot of those individuals in our community and it’s amazing all the people that show up to support us and the community. I love small town Seguin – love this inter action. You can’t get this anywhere else and it’s fantastic,” said Bright.
However, not all those working hard to bring in donations were adults. Many of them were Seguin High School athletes. Helping to continue this holiday tradition of giving back was Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Craig Dailey.
“It’s things that you learn growing up here. When you choose to be a part of our athletic program or any extra-curricular, you are choosing to be a role model for the kids of Seguin and a lot of these kids in our elementaries look up to them. So, it’s good to get out here and then you get to see them in a different light than just being on the playing surface,” said Dailey.
Other students represented on Friday included the Seguin High School Matador Band and Seguin High School Choir. Following the Seguin ISD performances was the Navarro Jazz Band and choir music by Navarro Intermediate fifth graders.
Uniquely enough, a full circle moment was also uncovered by Navarro Choir Teacher LeAnne White, who shared why she was no stranger to being a part of KWED’s Holiday Food and Toy Drive. White’s mother, Roxanne Heckmann, was also integral in helping KWED when it originally started the holiday drive.
“When I was in high school, I came with the jazz band, the Navarro Jazz Band and my mom – we performed all throughout high school and then I taught in Seguin for a while and now, I’ve been out in Navarro for a few years and now, it’s a full circle moment bringing my own group now to perform. So, yes, I used to be sitting right there performing,” said White.
While most donations came from individuals and businesses, others came from local groups working off-site to collect to support donating during the radio station’s holiday drive. Among those was the American Legion Post #245, which brought in a $1,500 donation. Director Raul Aguilar shared how not only do the American Legion Riders parade in support of the drive outside our studios on that morning, but they also work hard to support the Blue Santa Program.
“I know they just used to make a monetary donation, but people wanted to do more. They were like, ‘that’s not enough.’ So, they went out and started collecting the toys and we made it a mission to collect the toys every year at our location. So, we get some riders out there. We get the bikes. We have a gentleman who dresses as Santa Claus. This year, we had a gentleman dressed up as the Grinch and they are in the streets hustling for Blue Santa,” said Aguilar.
Again, KWED thanks all those who gave this year and appreciates all others who were also on hand this past Friday morning. We especially thank the sponsors and business partners for this year’s drive. That list includes Joe Cools AC and Heating: Beyond Coffee; Sweet Treats, Triple Bee Bakery; Heideke’s Country Kennel; The Palms Restaurant; Mi Chula Taco Stand; Su Casa Restaurant; Reyna’s Restaurant; Noe’s Restaurant; Furniture Warehouse and Steel Hyundai New Braunfels.
KWED’s Linda Duncan, who also serves on the Seguin ISD Board of Trustees, perhaps summed it up best. She says it was an amazing day for the entire community.
“It’s easy to get cynical in the world that we are living in today but I’m telling you, this morning gives me hope and I am so thankful for this community and they really stepped up in a big way when we ask them to give and sometimes, you don’t even have to ask, they just show up so we thank them for that,” said Duncan.
If you missed your chance to donate items during Friday’s Food and Toy Drive, you could still drop off items at the KWED Studios, located at 609 East Court St. Donations will continue to be accepted this week. Lobby doors are open Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.