Vietnamese American Community Toys for Tots | Sunday, December 12, 2011
I have been an avid volunteer with the Vietnamese American Community for as long as I can remember. My parents’ involvement sparked my interest and with their encouragement, I began volunteering my time. I can proudly say I have been at their Toys for Tots event since 2007 and I love every minute of it!
Of course, this year was extra special since I was able to hand out the toys with the sparkle of my Miss Texas Collegiate crown. Before passing out the toys with the other volunteers, I told the children eagerly awaiting their toys to always remember to be grateful of what they are about to receive. Christmas isn’t always about the gifts we receive, but about what we can give to others.
When it came time to pass out the toys, nothing beats the exhilaration of seeing a child’s face light up and saying, “Thank you!” upon holding their bag with a new Christmas present.
Christmas has long passed, (I can’t believe it’s already been more than 11 days!) but I still remember the warm feeling in my heart after the toys were passed out and all the volunteers were cleaning up. It’s a feeling I’ll always cherish and why I come back to the event year after year.
Also, I have a little treat for those of you who can read Vietnamese. I wrote a short article on my feelings of volunteering at two different Toys for Tots events. Check it out on Viet Bao Daily here:
http://vietbao.com/D_1-2_2-44_4-185140_6-1_15-2_12-1_5-15_17-4_14-2_10-4611/
Oasis Texas’ Toys for Tots & Holiday on Ice | Tuesday, December 13, 2011
The spirit of giving back and the sounds of children on ice skates were buzzing at the Oasis Texas seasonal outdoor ice rink Tuesday evening.
I was honored to be invited as a special guest to help with the Toys for Tots toy drive in addition to showing of a few of my skills as a figure skater on the outdoor ice rink. Not only did I get to check “Skate on an outdoor ice rink” off my bucket list, but I also checked off “Meet a U.S. Marine.”
To me, Christmas has never been about what I get, but what I can give. Nothing warms my heart more than knowing I’m helping a child somewhere out there have a good Christmas with some awesome toys!
The night before the event, I went to the store with my friends to pick out some toys to donate to the event. We chose a baby blue stuffed elephant with a fleece blanket, Transformer action figures, swords and more!
Unfortunately rain, spoiled the ice rink with excess water, but I was still able to do a little skating and do what I came there to do: Donate toys to children. I had tons of fun showing off some of my skills and helping some of the other children learn how to skate! I love seeing the sparkle in a child’s eye when he can finally glide forward on his own!
Christmas is about the hope of better days, not designer love and empty material things.
Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!
This Thanksgiving I’m grateful for all of the chances I have been given throughout my life here in America. I’m grateful for my family, my loved ones, and of course, the chance to represent such a wonderful pageant system.
