Children of all ages grinned from ear to ear as they were handed bags overflowing with toys, games and other necessities during the Kids Wish Network On Tour event over the weekend. As the children smiled and tore into their gift bags with delight, their parents could not thank their city officials, volunteers and Kids Wish Network representatives enough for the joy the event had brought to their kids.
"You could really see the need that these children had," said Kids Wish Network Programs Coordinator, Evy. "These kids don't have a lot of the things we take for granted. The way they smiled and couldn't wait to tear into the bags...I don't think they'd seen toys like that before. It was truly like a Christmas for them."
According to one Gallup mother, Laura Woody, Kids Wish Network On Tour was just what the children needed: "I would like to say thank you for all that you do for kids who hardly have anything. Today was like Christmas for them. Their big smiles meant a lot...once again, thank you so much!"
International children's charity Kids Wish Network created Kids Wish Network On Tour to deliver "miles of smiles" to at-risk children by sending donations of toys and necessities into the hearts of their hometowns. Through the assistance of Megatrux, Inc., a semi-truck loaded with these necessities drove to Gallup High School, where it was unloaded and set up for the big event by local volunteers from Gallup.
The New Mexico community really pitched in to make the day special for the kids of Gallup. Volunteers from the Gallup Police Department and the Gallup Fire Department worked alongside Mayor Jackie McKinney and other city officials to help hand out toys; there were also plenty of people there from community groups such as Vets Helping Vets, HELP-New Mexico, Colt's Crew, Gallup Rugby, Gallup High School Football and the New Mexico Tourism Department.
"Kids Wish Network's program visited our community and brought smiles to the kids they presented gifts to and melted the hearts of the volunteers who participated," said Mayor Jackie McKinney of Gallup. "Their organization went above and beyond, and took care of our at-risk kids who otherwise don't receive this type of attention and gifts of this nature due to the poverty in our immediate area. We appreciate and support Kids Wish Network."
To see photos of this Kids Wish Network On Tour event, or to see if another town may qualify for an upcoming event, please visit our website at www.kidswishnetworkontour.org
Kids Wish Network would like to thank the following sponsors for making Kids Wish Network On Tour in Gallup such a success: Mark & Shelley Breiner; Andrew M. Gottlieb; Arnold & Joy Gottlieb Family Foundation; Megatrux, Inc.; the City of Gallup; Mayor Jackie McKinney; Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce; Albertson's; Alpine Lumber Com.; Applebee's Neighborhood Grill; Burger King; Café Bistro; Coal Street Pub; Colonial Motel; Denny's; Dental Innovation; Don Diego's Restaurant; Econo Lodge; Furr's Family Dining; Galles Chevrolet; Golden Corral; Hilton Garden Inn Airport; Howard Johnson; Little Caesar's Pizza; Macaroni Grill; Olive Garden; Papa John's Pizza; Pinnacle Bank; Quality Inn & Suites Gallup; Rainbo Bread; Sizzler; Taco Bell; The Community Pantry; Westend Donut & Deli; Domino's Pizza; and Walmart.
Kids Wish Network is a national charitable organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children having experienced life-altering situations. For more information on Kids Wish Network, please call toll free at 888-918-9004 or visit their website at www.kidswishnetwork.org