Editor:

There has been information released recently regarding a toy drive in conjunction with the Toys-for-Tots organization for children in the Woodsboro area. There has also been a box set up in the Woodsboro area to collect donations for this endeavor. I applaud these efforts of both Ms. Sylvia Castellano and members of the Marine Corps Reserve and Toys for Tots.

I do, however, need to stress that these efforts are NOT in conjunction with S.N.O.W. of Refugio County. This is a totally separate donation drive and is not affiliated with S.N.O.W. in any way.

Any donations given to the Toys for Tots drive will NOT benefit anyone assisted by S.N.O.W. This also means that anyone being assisted by Toys for Tots will not be assisted by S.N.O.W. and its associated donation drives. This is to eliminate the possibility that one family might be assisted by two organizations and another family might not receive any assistance at all. The more neighbors we can help through all of our efforts, the better.

S.N.O.W. of Refugio County has been very proud to work in our local communities to help make the Christmas season more joyous for families in every community of Refugio County. For the past 16 years, S.N.O.W. has distributed gifts and food baskets to an average of 180 children and 75 families each year solely through the generosity of Refugio County residents.

The assistance of the Refugio County Chamber of Commerce, Calallen Gypsy Motorcycle Club, the Refugio County Sheriff’s Department, Brown Plumbing, the Refugio County Fair Association, Blanconia Fire Department, local churches and too many individuals to name has been invaluable to our efforts. We hope that their support will continue as we work once again this next month to gather and distribute gifts and food baskets for this holiday season.

Again, I applaud the endeavor undertaken by this other group of individuals but I wanted to clearly stress that their efforts are totally separate from S.N.O.W.’s.

I know the residents of Refugio County are very giving, particularly to our children and look forward to a successful event on our part. Should you have any questions about S.N.O.W. and its activities, please do not hesitate to contact us at 361-646-9052 or 361-220-0409.

Again, thanks to the wonderful neighbors we have in Refugio County. Happy holiday!