Caller-Times Christmas Appeal: Donations from campaign helped bring families holiday joy

Even though there was a lower amount of donations in 2023, the Caller-Times Children's Christmas Appeal was able to provide children in struggling households in South Texas a festive holiday.

The 2023 campaign raised a total of $56,235 — a 3% decrease from 2022's amount.

Since 1973, the Caller-Times has reported the struggle of needy children and their families to help raise money during the holiday season.

In an email, Jose Olivarez Jr., director of the Kleberg County Welfare Department, said the Christmas Appeal was able to help 72 families, including 155 children.

In late December 2023, the Caller-Times received several "Thank You" notes from families that were impacted by the campaign.

"Thank you so much for helping me create an awesome Christmas for my little boy," one card read.

"Thank you for all you do and thanks for helping out my family this year," another said.

"Thank you for helping my son out. We've had hard times. I am truly grateful," a card said.

All the money donated to the Christmas Appeal campaign benefits the children; all overhead costs are borne by the Caller-Times, United Way of the Coastal Bend and participating agencies.

Participating agencies include Boys & Girls Club of Alice, Duval County Christmas Committee, the Kleberg County Welfare Department, Nueces County Department of Social Services, the Odyssey After School Enrichment Program in Rockport, Sinton for Youth Inc. and the Purple Door.

Campaign donors for 2023

• In honor of Tom and Neil Addkison

• In honor of LTJG Sean Beaty

• In honor of Christine Cone

• In honor of Dr. Patrick Cone

• In honor of Lippincott grandchildren

• In honor of Nicolas, Celia and Elia Huerta

• In honor of Paul Michael

• In memory of Mick Addkison

• In memory of David Allison

• In memory of David Arevalo Jr.

• In memory of Gaylord Austin

• In memory of Wretha Barr

• In memory of Aurelio and Rosario Barrera

• In memory of Rusty Beck

• In memory of Juan and Carmen Beltran

• In memory of Darlene Bennett

• In memory of Emilia, Maximo and Victor Betancourt

• In memory of Bob, Tootie and Robert Bickham

• In memory of Bryan Bliven

• In memory of Dr. Jack L. Bradshaw

• In memory of Billy Braselton

• In memory of Gene Bruner

• In memory of J.C. Byles

• In memory of Hector Alberto Casares

• In memory of Louise Cave

• In memory of Carlos E. Chapa Sr.

• In memory of Clarissa Chapa-Radke

• In memory of Will Charba

• In memory of Eleanor Chavez

• In memory of Rev. James R. Collins

• In memory of Mike and Melanie Conner

• In memory of Conseulo

• In memory of Shep and Shirley Davis

• In memory of Rosa Lee Day

• In memory of Major Dimond

• In memory of Grace Dobson

• In memory of Dean Dreiling

• In memory of Mary Rose Dreiling

• In memory of Larry Dreyer

• In memory of Randy Eikel

• In memory of Armengol Farias

• In memory of Richard Flores

• In memory of Judy Forbes

• In memory of Raul Garcia III

• In memory of Felipe "Tino" Garcia

• In memory of Nicolas Garza

• In memory of Jacqueline Glenn

• In memory of Jeff Goodman

• In memory of Joy Grossman

• In memory of Marty Haibach

• In memory of Elizabeth Hansen

• In memory of Joe Harris

• In memory of Harry

• In memory of Astrid Lavinia Hathaway

• In memory of Carle and Fred Heinsohn

• In memory of C.W. Herber Jr.

• In memory of D.C. Hershcap

• In memory of Nelson Hidalgo

• In memory of Joe Hlavik

• In memory of Martha Hlavik

• In memory of Henry Houser

• In memory of Harriette Howe

• In memory of John and Bessie Howe

• In memory of Dorothy Cabrials Inman

• In memory of James and Margaret Kaylor

• In memory of Jack Kellam

• In memory of Howard and Ida Kennedy

• In memory of Susie Kesinger

• In memory of Melvin and Marietta Kronk

• In memory of Malvin and Marie LeBlanc

• In memory of Iris Lehrman

• In memory of Santiago Longoria

• In memory of Sharon Mack

• In memory of Clyde and Sophie Martin

• In memory of Ruben Martin

• In memory of Mauricio Rene Martinez

• In memory of Ruby Mauch

• In memory of Pete and Margaret Mayne

• In memory of Janice Kay McCarty

• In memory of RC "Mac" and Edith "Jac" McCarty

• In memory of Francis and Aline McDermott

• In memory of Bob McKinley

• In memory of Edwin E. Menn

• In memory of Orine Menn

• In memory of Ruth Miller

• In memory of Wilton A. Miller

• In memory of L.D. Mrazek

• In memory of Ella Sue Nelson

• In memory of Steve "Boom Boom" Nikolanci

• In memory of Jose M. Nino

• In memory of Jane F. Doe

• In memory of Joe and Charlene Nuesch

• In memory of Kaye O'Bryan

• In memory of Mr. and Mrs. F.C. Payne

• In memory of Travis A. Peeler

• In memory of Trinidad and Enrique Perez

• In memory of Eli Pruitt

• In memory of Robert Ramos

• In memory of Loyd Rash

• In memory of Jon Paul Reyes

• In memory of Charles Ross

• In memory of Abel, Cande and Frank Salazar

• In memory of Octavio, Dorita and Chaca Salinas

• In memory of Manuel Sanchez

• In memory of Naomi Santana

• In memory of Preston Sexton

• In memory of Mary Smith

• In memory of T.J. Smith

• In memory of Blaise Soza

• In memory of Martha Gierhart Spear

• In memory of Jack Standiford

• In memory of Frank F. Sumney

• In memory of Steve Thompson

• In memory of Rev. and Mrs. F.A. Walton

• In memory of Alena Faith Watson

• In memory of Kevin Weber

• In memory of Lois Wells

• In memory of Jarrett Ryan Whittington

• In memory of Bill and Marcia Wilcox

• In memory of Chase Wilson

• In memory of Luther Young

• In memory of Joseph Zelum

• Adler Family

• Sunil K. Ahuja

• Jim Barnette

• Melissa and Sam Beecroft

• Rhonda Bergey and Garry Jeffress

• Doris Biffle-Colby

• Kathy and Rob Black

• Ruben and Rosie Bonilla

• Michael Brewer

• David and Cindy Cantu

• Dr. John and Nicole Carroll

• Raul and Olga Castillo

• Ricardo G. Castillo

• Rev. Mark Chamberlin

• Waconda Erenda Clayworth

• Milton L. Cobb

• Luis and Angie Cuevas

• Ben A. Donnell

• David and Gail Drown

• Elizabeth DuPont

• Peggy andJose Miguel Duran

• Luis Elizondo

• Vale and Lorraine Elizondo

• Phyllis Farmer

• Ada Weil Fish

• Marlis Frank

• John and Sandra Garcia

• Alicia S. Garza

• Sally and James Gill

• Gil and Martha Gomez Jr.

• Abbey Graham

• Dr. Mary Jane and Bob Hamilton

• Patricia A. Harris

• Melissa Haddad and Bill Huie

• David and Carol Harvey

• Fred W. Heldenfels III

• Tom and Dollie Hunt

• Nick and Maria Jimenez

• Colleen Johnson and Brian Miller

• Johnson Family

• Jeri and Mark Johnstone

• Jim Kanz and Margaret Lawrence

• Mrs. T. Killion

• Annette and Mel Klein

• Jacqueline Klein-Katz

• Jenna Klein

• Catalina and Caden Klein

• Jay and Mary Leal

• Bob and Rosemary Little

• Liz & Dale

• Bob and Janie Loa

• Estela and Ruben Lopez

• Jan and Frank Luckay

• John and Linda McGowan

• John S. and Mary Ann McGregor

• Ron and Dylicia McKenzie

• Paula McKinney

• Gertrude Mickan

• Mike and Janet Miller

• Angela and Paul Montagna

• Mr. and Mrs. Gerry Morrow

• Donald K. and Dr. Vickie M. Natale

• O'Boyle Family

• James L. Owens

• Richard and Sarah Paige

• Nikki Parker

• Esther Bonilla Read

• Ed and Rita Reed

• Mr. and Mrs. Ricardo Regino

• Billy and Becky Rios

• Phyllis Roseman

• Johnny and Betty Rozypal

• Cathy Scholl

• Pat Schackleford and John Wood

• Kim and Bernard Seger

• Mary K. Sherwood and Ron George

• John Shreves

• Charles Smith

• Jaden, Kaylen and Rylen Serrano

• Bob and Mary Sorrells

• Martin and Suzanne Thebeau

• Henry Durward Thompson

• Ben and Flora Truijilo

• Carlos and Connie Valdez

• George Wehl

• Patsy G. Whitehurst

• DJ Williams

• Charlie and Linda Zahn

• CLK Architects & Associates

• J.G. Hampton - Oil & Gas

• Sons of Confederate Veterans - Col. A.M. Hobby Camp #713 SCV

• The Estill Foundation

• The Larry and Pat McNeil Foundation

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Donations from campaign helped bring families holiday joy