'No toys for Christmas'; Donations desperately low night before big charity event

CREATED Dec. 21, 2012

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  • Saturday morning, you can bring toys to the Ava Amphitheater at Casino Del Sol. Video by kgun9.com

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Reporter: Maggie Vespa

TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN9-TV) - It's a heartbreaking thought during the holidays: literally thousands of kids, excited to receive that one special toy from Santa, are instead told, "Sorry.  Santa has nothing for you."

That sad scenario may very well play out in southern Arizona Saturday morning, unless we all come together, to save Christmas for kids in need.
 
 
Saturday morning, the Ava amphitheater will be lined with an estimated 10,000 kids.
 
If nothing changes before then, more than half will turned away, left with nothing for Christmas.
 
In 40-plus years, ramon Gonzales has never let a child leave toy-less.
 
"A child gets some little toy, and you can see the happiness on their faces, their smiles."
 
Saturday morning, those precious little smiles may be wiped away.
 
"That's what scares me right now," he said.  "That's my worst nightmare, to have to tell the kids that I have no more toys."
 
This year, Gonzales and his 'Miracle on 31st Street' crew have collected roughly 2,000 toys for 10,000 kids.
 
"The fear of us running out tomorrow- It runs deep," said Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Marcos Moreno.
 
He has volunteered with the group for years.
 
He says he has never seen donations so desperately low.
 
"The thing that worries me tomorrow is the look on the parent's face when they have to look at their kid and say 'I'm sorry there's no toy.'"
 
So now they're calling on you, Southern Arizona, to lend a hand and donate a toy, fast!
 
"It takes five dollars," he said.  "Go down to Family Dollar, come down, look for me, give it to me. You'll see the line, and you will see that it will pay off."
 
And if there's still any doubt it's worth your time, Gonzales says put yourself in these kids shoes.
 
"How would they like to be in line for three, four hours, and wind up telling them, 'Go home. We don't have anymore toys,'" he said.  "If they were a child, how would they feel?"
 
So what can you do before tomorrow morning?
 
Gather up any and all toys, ages newborn to teen.
 
If you have time Friday night, Gonzales is opening his home, at 2019 West Ajo Way.
 
You call also call him for more information at 971-8271.
 
 
Saturday morning you can bring them to the Ava Amphitheater at Casino Del Sol.
 
Volunteers will be there bright and early.  They need these toys by 9 a.m.