HOUSTON – The 2016 Operation: Stocking Stuffer may still be a few weeks away from its official kickoff, but on Thursday, shoppers can help the annual toy drive get a head start.
From 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., six area Charming Charlie stores will be donating a portion of their proceeds to the holiday event. Stores in Sugar Land, Champions, Meyerland, Pearland and City Centre will donate 10 percent of their first $1,000 made, 15 percent of sales between $1,001 and $1,500 and 20 percent of anything sold above $1,501.
Though this is the first year Charming Charlie has participated in the drive, the toy collection event itself began more than 30 years ago.
“She’s always liked to give. If she knew people that was in need she always found it within her heart to give,” said Sharae Young.
She’s talking about her mom, Lorugene Young.
When Sharae was in high school, her mom started a small toy drive out of her garage.
Ask anyone that knows her and they’ll tell you it was no surprise.
“Every Thanksgiving we couldn’t eat until we went out and fed the homeless,” recalls Sharae.
What is a surprise is just how massive the drive has become, thanks in big part to Al Bennett and the Houston Fire Department.
“My plan from the start was to assist Ms. Young in any way possible. I had no idea that this would become of it. The citizens of Houston have just jumped on board, unbelievably. It’s the largest toy drive in Harris county,” said Al Bennett, community liaison for HFD. “Without [the community’s] help these kids probably wouldn’t get these toys or these articles.”
Lorugene is now 74-years-old and has advanced Alzheimer’s Disease.
However, even the worst cognitive loss is apparently no match for the impact her toy drive has made.
“As a matter of fact, last night, I was showing her when she first started out years ago out of the back of her truck and when she used to store the toys in the garage instead of at the Houston Fire Department and she can’t speak but her eyes opened up and she just got teary-eyed last night,” shares Sharae.