The sixth annual KZSM toy drive outdid all previous years, as volunteers delivered 222 toys to Southside Community Center to brighten the holidays for the families they serve. The toys were distributed at the Southside Community Christmas Celebration December 21.
Veteran KZSM DJ Metal Mark Moniz started the first toy drive six years ago as a spinoff to his Metal Fest Fundraiser. When they saw his heavy metal Santa suit, members of bands performing gave him the toys they had collected to distribute, and he continued the project every year. After one unproductive Metal Fest drive, Mark had only a few toys to deliver.
“There was a family at the shelter that had nothing. I barely got any donations, but to see the woman’s face when I handed them a little bit of toys for her two kids melted my heart, and so after that we decided to put a tree in the window and fill it with presents,” Moniz said.
This year’s tree filled with presents slowly at first, but as Christmas drew near toys began piling up with gifts from KZSM volunteers and listeners. Other community groups joined the effort. For the second year, members of the San Marcos Unitarian Fellowship collected toys at their Sunday services in a campaign organized by member Taylor Tribbey. Performer and promoter Songbird Sheri Swartz came by with shopping bags. Bikers enjoying heavy metal at Sean Patrick’s brought their own collection. The staff at Our Lady Tattoo Parlor added more toys to the growing heap.
Gathered, distributed, received, and loved, those balls, Barbie dolls, action figures, and paint sets represent the bonds that hold a community together. For KZSM 104.1/KZSM.org, the toy drive extends the station’s mission to unite their diverse listeners, according to a KZSM press release.
