It was a perfect night to collect thousands of toys for the community at Mansfield ISD’s annual Toys for Tots event on Wednesday, Dec. 3. The community went All In with the district to ensure every family in MISD has gifts to open during the holiday. 

Thanks to the generosity of the community, district partners, and every MISD campus and department, more than $46,000 in cash donations and 30,000 toys were collected for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots campaign. The donations stay within the district’s boundaries to benefit MISD students and their families. 

At the Dr. Jim Vaszauskas Center for the Performing Arts Wednesday evening, families enjoyed student performances along with fun activities including a sledding hill, games, and visits with Santa.    

The annual celebration includes a competition among MISD campuses and departments. Beginning each November, students and staff compete to see who can collect the most new, unwrapped toys. 

This year, Brenda Norwood won the elementary school competition, Donna Shepard Leadership Academy won for intermediate schools, Danny Jones was the first-place middle school, Lake Ridge High School outpaced the other high schools and Transportation was the winning department.  

“We are so grateful to see the outpouring of support for our students and their families from everyone in our community,” said Superintendent Dr. Kimberley Cantu. “It is heartwarming to see the smiles on everyone’s faces – those who show up to give and our MISD families who receive the help they need.”   

Most of the toys will be donated to area churches and organizations to be distributed to families in need throughout the community. A portion of the Center for the Performing Arts has been transformed into a North Pole VIP shopping experience for district families who have been selected, based upon need, to receive a donation. Between now and the district’s Winter Break, parents and guardians will have an opportunity to visit and choose a special toy for their child.   

Anyone who would like to donate can visit the Mansfield Toys for Tots website to give cash. New, unwrapped toys are still being accepted at The Center.