CHALLENGE AWARD — The Kingsville Noon Lions Club was presented the Service Club Challenge Award. The Club collected and donated 429 toys to the local campaign. Presenting the award to Lions’ Club member Bettie Bedingfield, left, was Rotary Club Secretary Ed Seeger. Nearly 70 people attended a Post-Toys for Tots 2009 Campaign Success Party where over 30 special awards and recognition was given to key donors and volunteers.

1st Lt. Brandon Wilkins received an individual volunteer service award, and accepted the same on behalf of 22 additional active duty Marines stationed at NAS Kingsville who assisted by making public appearances, as well as sorting, counting, and even delivering toys. Numerous “Elves” in attendance who assisted in the distribution process were also presented with Certificates of Appreciation.

Chief Deputy Juan Gonzales accepted an award on behalf of the Kleberg County Sheriff’s Department who, among other things, provided transport of toys to families living in outlying rural areas.

GLENDA HOLLAND RECOGNIZED — Jerry and Lisa Bockholt gave special recognition to Glenda Holland, right, for being the campaign’s role model for setting a record in 2008 and named an award in her honor. This year the 2009 Glenda Holland Award for most toys donated by an individual was presented to Pat Neher (not pictured), who donated a total of 149 toys. Lou Wilson, Charge Nurse - H.M. King High, Toni Padillo and Baldemar Huerta - Center for Young Children, Aurora Garza- Retired Teachers Association and Lions Club Member, and Nancy Mejorado-L-3 Vertex Aerospace were recognized for outstanding campaign support.

A framed Commander’s Award and souvenir newspaper article featuring a photograph of the organization’s $1,000 check contribution was presented to Lynn Early and Bob Linton- Captain and former Captain of the Kleberg County Sheriff’s Mounted Patrol, respectively.

TOYS FOR TOTS HONORS SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT — The Sheriff’s Department was also instrumental in the distribution process, helping the campaign insure that the toys got delivered in time for Christmas. Campaign Coordinator Lisa Bockholt thanked the Sheriff, along with Chief Deputy Juan Gonzales for their support, and presented Sheriff Mata with a commemorative campaign T-shirt and plaque in appreciation for the efforts of the entire department. Cindy Hinojosa and Judy Chesser were recognized for their role in helping the local Curves for Women become the top toy donor. Curves broke all former records for most toys donated to the campaign in a business category, when they presented a total of 300 toys, collected by their members and staff.

TAAO PROVIDES DIFFERENT TYPE OF ASSESSMENT — The Coastal Bend Chapter of the Texas Association of Assessing Officers did their own assessment in 2009, which resulted in the donation of nearly 30 toys to the local Toys for Tots Campaign. “We were happy to help,” Tax Assessor Collector Melissa T. DelaGarza said. Pictured from left to right are Bockholt, Coordinator, Evelinda Avelar, DelaGarza, Diana Garza- TAAO, and 1st Lt. Brandon Wilkins, USMC. Javelina Athletics was commended for their leadership role and participation in Toys for Tots. “We believe they have set the example for Texas A&M University Kingsville, which is why, this year, we saw more participation from the college as a whole, than ever before”, said Lisa Bockholt. Joe Biedron, Associate Athletic Director for External Advancement accepted an award for his outstanding individual support, as well as one for the entire Athletic Department.

KISD RECOGNIZED FOR TOYS FOR TOTS SUPPORT — Pictured from left to right are Jennifer Kent, Chief Academic Officer; Emilio Castro, Superintendent; Lisa Bockholt, Toys for Tots Coordinator; and 1st Lt. Jordan Meredith, USMC. Head trainer Ruben Cantu was recognized for his assistance in providing student-athlete volunteers to inflate over 200 footballs, basketballs, and soccer balls the campaign was able to purchase from wholesale athletic equipment manufacturers. Rosie Moreno was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for her creativity in planning and coordinating Porky’s birthday party, and requesting that the children of Porky’s Pack bring gifts to donate to Toys for Tots in celebration.

The efforts of Kingsville Independent School District did not go unnoticed. The District was recognized as a whole, and each campus individually. Roel Gonzalez, Principal, H.M. King High attended the event, also accepting awards on behalf of Ode Moreno, Vice-Principal, and H.M. King’s Media Technology Department.

URI, INC. SUPPORTS TOYS FOR TOTS — Nicole Bailey and Cindy Salazar, representing the management of Uranium Resources, Inc., present a $500 campaign contribution to the local Toys for Tots Campaign. “URI has supported Toys for Tots for several years now. It’s great when a locally based company makes it a point to give back to the community,” Coordinator Lisa Bockholt said. Pictured are left to right, Bockholt, Nicole Bailey and Cindy Salazar with URI, Inc., and 1st Lt. Brandon Wilkins, USMC. Media recognition also went to Jon Gagne, Public Affairs Officer for NAS Kingsville. Accepting the award on Gagne’s behalf was Capt. Phil Waddingham, Commanding Officer, NAS Kingsville.

Highlighting the ceremony were Media Service Awards presented to Tina Salinas, Managing Editor, and Bob Odom, Editor of the Kingsville Record and Bishop News. “It is truly because of what you both do to promote the campaign, and keep the community informed that we have reached such a monumental level of success,” said Lisa Bockholt.

FAMILY 4-H CLUB GATHERS TOYS — The Family 4-H Club donated toys to Toys for Tots as their community service project. Pictured is Toys for Tots Coordinator Lisa Bockholt, center, with members in front row, from left to right, Angie Arredondo, Brittany Arredondo, Madeline Abrigo, Bockholt, Brianna Perez, Niki Tijerina, and Veronica Garcia; back row, Adrian Ortiz, Michael Guerra, and Andre Ortiz. For the second year in a row, The Kingsville Noon Lions Club took home the Service Club Challenge Award. The Club collected and donated 429 toys to the local campaign. Presenting the award to Lions’ Club member Bettie Bedingfield was Rotary Club Secretary Ed Seeger, who congratulated the Lions Club, then challenged them to a duel between the two service clubs again next year. Seeger led the audience to believe the outcome may be different in 2010. Stay tuned.

WALMART DONATE’S $1,000 to Toys for Tots — Representatives of the local Wal-Mart are all smiles as they present a check from the Wal-Mart Foundation for $1,000 to the Kleberg-Kenedy County Toys for Tots Campaign. “We had no idea the local store had requested funds from the Wal-Mart Foundation. This was one of the largest monetary contributions, and a tremendous boost to our campaign’s account as well,” said Lisa Bockholt, Coordinator. Pictured from left to right are Bockholt, Coordinator Nora Pool, Kingsville Wal-Mart Human Resources Manager, employees Norma Rosales and Raquel Bueno, and 1st Lt. Brandon Wilkins, USMC. The 2009 Glenda Holland Award for most toys donated by an individual was presented to Pat Neher, who donated a total of 149 toys. Holland, for whom the award is named, also received special recognition for being the campaign’s role model when she set a record for most toys donated in 2008.

Numerous un-sung heroes were recognized including RP2 Christine Tamag-NAS Kingsville, and Raquel Longoria-Texas Department of Health and Human Services.

CS2 Holly Clow received the 2009 Volunteer Coordinator of the Year Award. Clow mobilized over 60 volunteers to assist with the distribution process, setting a new record for most number of volunteers to ever man the Secret Santa Warehouse.

Beth Dembski was once again honored as the campaign’s Distribution Coordinator, a role she’s held for nearly ten years. In lieu of a plaque, campaign organizers chose to present Dembski with custom made Distribution Coordinator business cards, a gift Dembski said she found truly practical and useful!

“It takes a village” was the overwhelming theme of the event, and was evident throughout the evening as so many facets of the Kingsville community were represented and recognized for their contributions toward the success of the 2009 Toys for Tots Campaign.