With Abilene glowing under its December lights, a quiet kind of magic has been unfolding across Wylie ISD. It didn’t start with fanfare or a formal launch. It started with children shuffling in with tiny backpacks and even tinier gifts, eager to share what they could.
And from there, it grew.
This year’s Toys for Tots drive became more than a donation campaign. It became a picture of what generosity looks like when an entire school district—military families, preschoolers, big kids, teachers, parents—decides to give not out of abundance, but out of heart.
The Boardroom, But Make It Pre-K
The principal’s boardroom at Wylie Early Childhood isn’t usually a place for high-level negotiations from people whose feet don’t touch the floor. But on interview day, the district’s youngest Bulldogs—four-year-olds Leilani, Channing, Palmer, and Ida—filed in with the solemn purpose of seasoned executives. They climbed into oversized chairs, folded their hands, and prepared to talk about giving.
Their answers were honest, funny, and wise in the way only preschoolers can be.
Channing shared that she wanted to donate because she’d seen someone lose everything in a fire. Helping people who had nothing just “felt important.”
Leilani said giving made her happy—so happy she wished she could do it “all the time.”
Palmer was quite sure every child would want a Gabby’s Dollhouse toy or a bicycle (“I have a scooter and a bike,” she clarified helpfully).
And Ida? She brought elves into the equation. Many elves. Several Christmas elves, apparently, who supervise her generosity and move around the house every night. One can only assume they approved.
When asked what they wanted the Abilene community to know about giving, Channing summed it up simply:
“The community can give lots of toys too.”
Big wisdom for small voices.
“Our Students Were the Catalyst” — Wylie East Elementary
Just a few miles away, Wylie East Elementary had a different kind of leadership in action. Their Student 2 Student (S2S) team, a group known for welcoming newcomers, stepped up to help load gifts and talk about the meaning of giving.
Benjamin and Micah stood beside a mountain of toy donations, reflecting on what it felt like to know their work—and their classmates’ generosity—would make Christmas brighter for another child.
“It feels happy,” Benjamin said.
“Christmas is about giving and being with family,” Micah added, capturing the whole season in one breath.
When asked why kids should help other kids, Micah didn’t hesitate:
“If you don’t be kind to them, they won’t be kind to you.”
A simple truth, delivered with the sincerity of a boy who meant every word.
Principal Caren Christian watched with pride as the boxes filled, one by one.
“This wasn’t a big year at first,” she shared, “until our students started going home and telling their parents, ‘We have this opportunity to give.’ They were the driver. They were the catalyst.”
And parents responded. Generosity spread from kitchen tables to car lines to classrooms.
Sometimes the best campaign strategy is simply letting children lead.
Wylie West Intermediate: The Power of a Challenge
At Wylie West Intermediate, giving came with a spark of competition. Principal Phil Boone offered a hot chocolate party to the class that brought the most toys. And if you thought this would motivate a handful of donations—well, the students had other plans.
A group of third-graders—Jason, Jovanni, Gemma, and Kieran—sat down for interviews surrounded by bags and bags of toys. Their numbers were astonishing. They all contributed bags of toys.
When asked why they did it, their answers were humble and deeply human.
Jason wanted to help people like his family’s Marine friend and other children who needed joy.
Jovanni explained that some kids “don’t have any money” and their parents “don’t have enough,” so he and his family bought a toy, then donated a toy. “Sorry you don’t get any toys,” he said, imagining speaking to a child in need, “but we got you some because we love the kids."
Then he shrugged, as if kindness should always be that straightforward.
When asked what they hoped their toys would bring to another child, Kieran said simply:
“It will make them happy.”
Happiness, the students agreed, is something worth sharing.
A Community of Marines—And Wylie Parents
The Marines from Detachment One, Dyess AFB—the team responsible for Toys for Tots in Abilene—rolled onto campuses with smiles, gratitude, and a deep connection to Wylie ISD.
Because every Marine visiting that day
was also a Wylie parent.
Gunnery Sergeant Romero Trevino, Staff Sergeant Michelle Barrientos, and Staff Sergeant David Gomez didn’t just pick up toys—they experienced the joy through the eyes of their own children’s schools.
“We’re here to serve our community,” Sgt. Trevino shared. “Helping Abilene families is our purpose.”
Sgt. Barrientos told her story with emotion—her family once received Toys for Tots support when she was a child.
“Seeing kids smile… it feels really good.”
Staff Sergeant Gomez added that he too grew up benefiting from Toys for Tots.
Now, standing in a Wylie hallway packed with toys, he said seeing it come “full circle” was something he’d never forget.
Last year, Abilene’s Toys for Tots distributed over 15,000 toys to 5,700 children—more than 1,200 families. This year, with Wylie’s help, that impact will reach even farther.
Giving, According to Wylie Kids
Ask adults why we give, and you’ll get a paragraph.
Ask kids, and you’ll get the truth.
“It helps them.”
“It makes them happy.”
“We felt bad, so we got one and donated one.”
“They don’t have anything, so we help.”
“Christmas is about giving.”
And maybe the most powerful comment of all, from a third-grader at West Intermediate:
“If they don’t have anything, we can give them those toys.”
No jargon. No campaigns. No mission statements.
Just heart.
The Impact—and the Invitation
Across the district, Wylie students—from four-year-olds to pre-teens—showed what happens when a community gives with joy instead of obligation.
They filled boxes.
They filled trucks.
They filled hearts.
And they reminded us, gently, that generosity doesn’t require age, or wealth, or perfect timing. It simply asks us to notice who needs a little light—and share what we can.
And you can still help make that number grow.
👉 To donate or learn more, visit Abilene Toys for Tots
