The need is huge this year. The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission is once again answering the call for help, partnering with the community to collect as many toys as possible so every child has something to unwrap on Christmas morning. 

 

Santa's helpers from Time Warner Cable unloaded hundreds of gifts from employees for children in need at the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission.

 

"Our employees generously gave up their time, their effort their money to go out and buy presents for these kids and it's really something they like to do every year," Elli Tourje, Media Relations Specialist for Time Warner Cable, said.

 

This year 400 gifts are wrapped and ready. The individual wish lists of 225 children fulfilled.

 

"It feels real good for all the employees because it opens up their hearts. And when they go shopping and they're given a card with the information of the children and what they need and what they want, they feel great, being able to buy for all these children," Time Warner Cable employee Sylvia Lopez, said. 

 

In just a few days 5,000 children will line up for the chance to get a Christmas present. The line starts early. Families gather outside the rescue mission the night before the big give-away, just to be able to put a smile on their children's faces.

 

"It just means the world to these families and kids. Otherwise there would just be nothing under their tree or for them for Christmas," Darla Burkett, Executive Director of the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission said.

 

The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission still needs thousands more toys, and they're asking the community for help. 

 

If you would like to help you can drop off a new unwrapped toy to the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission at the address below.

 

Coachella Valley Rescue Mission:

47470 Van Buren Street 

Indio, CA 92201

(760) 347-3512

 

--Adrianna Weingold

aweingold@kmir6.com