ALGONA, IA- It's similar to the toys for tots idea.
KIMT News Three and our Giving Your Best Partners, Carlos O'kellys and First Citizens National Bank, along with the Marine Corps League are collecting new, unwrapped toys for kids in North Iowa.
There's another one out there, known as Tacos for Tots,but this one works a little differently.
Noe Villarreal knows all too well what it's like to not be able to provide christmas presents for his kids.
22 years ago he didn't know how he was going to get through the holiday season until he heard a knock at his door.
Villarreal says, "they put groceries on the table and brought presents for my two year old and i don't even know if i thanked them...I was so happy. I was so ecstatic...so now its my turn...my turn to help out."
He's doing that by helping out at the tacos for tots event in Algona. the county C.A.R.E team and volunteers are responsible for the yearly tradition.
Villarreal, "I know it's a lot of work but man it's for such a good cause, I love kids.. and they don't deserve to go through christmas with out a present."
The money raised from each taco sold is providing christmas gifts for area working families who just can't afford them this year.
CARE County director, Linda Vaudt says, "it's fun. it’s hard to see that kids are with out help but it's fun to help."
This year in particular, Noe thinks the economy is playing a major impact and hopes folks still come out for dinner.
The overall goal is not just to distribute over 2,000 tacos but to make the community aware that they can help."
Villarreal adds, "I know we can't help em all but we can help some of em you know."
For Villarreal, helping just a few is a little way he can payback the support he received years ago.
The C.A.R.E volunteers say they hope to help out nearly two hundred families with christmas gifts. They also have events throughout the year to help kids such as giving presents around their birthdays.
