McKinney, Texas - As the holiday season approaches, the dedicated volunteers of Toys for Tots are working to ensure that every child in North Texas can receive a new gift during this season of giving, and McKinney ISD has taken up the challenge to do its part to support this worthy cause.
MISD Superintendent Shawn Pratt and Frisco ISD Superintendent Dr. Mike Waldrip are calling on their respective school districts to pull out all the stops to help make this the most successful year ever for Toys for Tots in North Texas as the two superintendents entered into a friendly competition Thursday to see which school district can bring in the most toys. Waldrip issued the challenge—which Pratt and Board Secretary Harvey Oaxaca accepted—during the Toys for Tots kick off event in Frisco on Thursday. In this challenge, ultimately, it’s the kids who win.
McKinney ISD Superintendent Shawn Pratt (back, right) and Frisco ISD Superintendent Dr. Mike Waldrip (back, second from right) are joined by MISD Board Secretary Harvey Oaxaca (back, third from right), MISD officials and members of the McKinney North Northstars drill team at the Toys for Tots Kickoff event.
Toys for Tots in North Texas officially kicked off its 2024 giving season on Thursday, Oct. 17, with a full day of fun at the Monument Realty PGA District, 3255 PGA Parkway, Frisco, Texas.
Pratt was joined at the event by MISD Board Secretary Harvey Oaxaca and other MISD representatives. You can watch the FOX 4 news story here: https://www.fox4news.com/video/1533742
Cockrill Middle School cheerleaders, the McKinney High School Marquettes, McKinney Boyd Bailadoras and the McKinney North Northstars were on hand to celebrate the event and represent the district.
McKinney ISD Superintendent Shawn Pratt looks on as FOX 4's Mike Doocy broadcasts from the Toys for Tots kickoff event in Frisco on October 17, 2024.
The event was open to the public, and guests were encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. “Since we opened last year, Omni PGA Frisco has made a commitment to be a strong community partner,” said Jeff Smith, vice president and managing director for Omni PGA Frisco Resort. “We are proud to help create a more magical holiday season for all children in North Texas.”
The resort will maintain donation boxes throughout the resort beginning Oct. 17, through this year’s Dec.16 deadline.
McKinney ISD Superintendent Shawn Pratt with McKinney High School senior Brandon Terry, who serves as Toys for Tots Student Ambassador.
Founded in 1947, the mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community. 2023 was a record-breaking year! Marine Toys for Tots distributed an unprecedented 25.5 million toys, books, and games to 10.3 million disadvantaged children with the help of 50,000+ Volunteers. To date, Toys for Tots has distributed: 677 million toys to 301 million deserving children.