McAllen man jingling all the way to hospitals with toys for kids

2 weeks ago 63

Angel Quintanilla was about 7-years-old when he nearly had to spend Christmas inside a hospital and away from all his family.

He recalled being so “bummed out” that just three days from Christmas he was stuck inside a hospital room due to being severely ill.

But that all turned around for him when a group of 20-somethings showed up with gifts and goodies.

“They came in and they brought me a couple of toys like a teddy bear and a basketball,” Angel recalled with a joyful tone. “It just kind of made my day, it made me smile and I was happy for the rest of the day.”

Toys are sorted during the 20th annual toy drive at South Texas Health System Children’s on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

It was that moment that motivated Angel to pay that kindness forward and start his own toy drive for the other children who have to spend Christmas season in the hospital.

With the support of his family and the community the now 27-year-old McAllen native is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his toy drive at South Texas Health System.

“I know what it’s like to be in that situation for a long time,” Angel, who has cerebral palsy, said.

He added that his own experience being in a hospital for long periods of time continues to motivate him to bring back the toy drive each year.

Angel Quintanilla hugs hospital patient Desire Mancha, 15, after an delivery of gifts during his 20th annual toy drive at South Texas Health System Children’s on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

“It’s really hard, not only for the patient but also for the parents,” he said.

For Angel, the toy drive has become a representation of the love, hope and compassion within the Rio Grande Valley community.

He explained that throughout the years he’s noticed that the toy drive not only helps bring the Christmas magic to children but it also helps the volunteers and families of patients feel a little bit of joy.

“Everybody has something that they can get out of this whole project and this whole cause that is just completely beautiful, and it’s all because of the volunteers and the way that we come together as a community that all of this (has been) possible for so many years.

Ricardo Ramos shows his daughter Aitanna Ramos toys given to her during the 20th annual toy drive at South Texas Health System Children’s on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Angel explained that although children may not remember who a person is they will always remember how one makes them feel.

He added that it makes him so happy to see how motivated the community is each year to help make Christmas possible in the hospital.

“It feels absolutely amazing,” Angel said. “I’m so eternally grateful to be a part of a community that is so willing to come together for our most vulnerable.”

Although he and his team have yet to count all donations from this year’s toy drive locations, Angel said last Saturday’s Zumbathon event alone amassed about 300 donations collected at STHS.

Angel and his dad, Eddie Quintanilla handed out the gifts at STHS Children’s on Friday.

“You can do anything you set your mind to. You can make a difference,” Angel said.

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