Medford, Ore. — It’s never easy being a single mom, especially during the holiday season. “Back in 2012 I had a baby girl and I was fallen on hard times,” said Kira Zavala. “I needed help, I didn’t have any money to buy her toys.”
Toys for Tots stepped in and helped Kira give her daughter the Christmas she deserved.
That was four years ago. Today, Zavala is determined to give back. She said, “Knowing that I was able to have help to fill that need gave me a lot of confidence.”
Now, Kira is the Jackson County Toys for Tots Coordinator. She’s trying to help families struggling financially by spreading holiday cheer all over the Rogue Valley.
“Our motto this year is no child in Jackson County is going to go without a Christmas and I’m very passionate about that,” said Kyra.
With the help from U.S. Cellular, Toys for Tots will be one step closer to its goal. “We had all our local associates come in with their kids, we gave them a shopping budget for toys for tots and we were able to buy some gifts for people in Southern Oregon.”
U.S. Cellular raised $1,000 for the cause. U.S. Cellular brand coordinator Kathleen Holtschneider said, “You never know how close it can be to home. It’s something that is beautiful and willing of all people to be getting together and do as a community.”
So far there are a thousand children and more than four hundred families on Toys for Tots’ list. The hope is to make the holiday season a little brighter one toy at a time.
“We’d love it to be the ripple affect so that everybody continues to do good the holiday season. I think we could all use a little love this holiday season.”
You can learn how to register or donate at the Toys for Tots website.
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