One truckload. That’s what the 2025 Mission Joy Toy Drive accomplished.
From schools and fire stations to businesses and city offices, Arlington came together this holiday season and filled donation boxes with toys that will soon find their way into the hands of local children and families who need them most.
And by the end of the celebration, an entire Mission Arlington truck was loaded and ready to deliver joy.
The Second Year, Even Bigger Impact
This was the second year Arlington ISD partnered with Mission Arlington for the Mission Joy Toy Drive. Last year proved the concept worked. This year proved the community could do even better.
Financial donations increased. Community participation expanded. And the final result: a truckload of toys instead of boxes.
The Final Celebration
The toy drive’s finale at the Dr. Marcelo Cavazos Center for Visual and Performing Arts brought the holiday spirit to life with:
- A live CBS broadcast
- Thornton Elementary Ballet Folklórico performances
- Shackelford Junior High Choir singing
- Lamar High School’s Jazz Band
- A surprise visit from Santa and his elf
It wasn’t just about collecting toys. It was about celebrating community. Celebrating generosity. Celebrating what happens when neighbors show up for neighbors.
What This Really Means
Tillie Burgin, director of Mission Arlington, said it best: “What this will do is put toys on the shelves that don’t have toys right now.”
Mission Arlington’s Christmas Store doesn’t hand out toys. Families come in and select gifts for free for their children. Parents get to choose what their kids receive. That dignity matters. That choice matters.
Every toy collected goes directly onto those shelves. When families walk through the Christmas Store, they’ll see shelves full of possibilities instead of empty racks.
“When these toys go on those shelves, they will put smiles on faces when the parents or kids walk through and shop,” Burgin said.
The Community Effort
This wasn’t one organization. This was everyone:
- Arlington ISD
- City of Arlington
- Arlington Fire Department
- Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce
- Texas Trust
- Local schools
- Local businesses
- Local residents
“Community is the key word,” said Arlington ISD superintendent Dr. Matt Smith. “The heart of this community tells a story. It’s great to see everything come back together and do something great for kids—that is what Arlington ISD is all about.”
Burgin added: “God chose Arlington, Texas, to be a place of love and people’s hearts blending together when they see needs. It’s amazing.”
Smith reflected on what this means for students: “I walk through the halls and see our kids all the time, and to know that we can do something like this for them—it’s super special.”
It’s Not Over Yet
If you didn’t get to participate during the official drive, it’s not too late.
You can still bring unwrapped gifts to Mission Arlington all the way through Christmas Eve. Donations of wrapping paper and tape are helpful too.
Every toy helps. Every donation matters. Every act of generosity puts a smile on a child’s face.
The Real Story
This is what community looks like. Not politics. Not posturing. Just neighbors helping neighbors. Just people seeing a need and showing up.
An entire truckload of toys. That’s not magic. That’s what happens when a community decides to take care of its own.
Arlington did that. And somewhere, a child is going to open a gift on Christmas morning and experience the joy of knowing their community cares.
That’s the story of Mission Joy.
