Filling stockings

Lane Jones, 9, and his little brother Toby, 6, learned what the true meaning of Christmas is about this year - the two boys helped distribute bicycle, huge bags of toys and boxes of food Monday morning at the Salvation Army.

"Lots of kids have boxes of toys for Christmas, but some don't even have a crumb of bread," Lane said.

His little brother, Toby, proudly carried out a bicycle for a little girl. He said he was there "to give stuff" to other children who were their "friends."

The boys said they learned that not everyone has presents under their tree.

"Some only have a couple of pennies," Toby said.

The boys' grandmother Linda "Nana" Jones brought the boys to the Salvation Army so they could learn Christmas isn't about presents, but it is about helping others in need.

Underprivileged families waited in line in 27-degree weather while Maj. Carl Hughes made hot chocolate for everybody.

Wanda, not her real name, waited in the frigid cold. She was one of several grandmothers that applied for help for similar reasons. She started raising her four grandchildren when she said her daughter got mixed up with the wrong crowd.

Wanda is homeless and lives with her son and his children.

"I just want to have a good Christmas for my four grandchildren," she said.

Another woman wished not to be interviewed because she said her situation was embarrassing. She was also getting toys for her granddaughter. She said both of the little girl's parents were drug addicts, and she wanted the tiny tot to have a normal Christmas.

Volunteer LaVerne Hamilton was the ringleader of the volunteer army Monday morning. She has spent almost every day at the Salvation Army since October because she said she loves children. She loves thinking about how their little faces light up on Christmas morning when they see their presents. 

"Get your chickens as you go out the door," she yelled.

After families stood in line that cold December morning, with huge bags of toys thrown over their shoulder in Santa Claus fashion they grabbed a box of food.

Flora Garza handed chickens to each family on the way to their cars.

Garza, nicknamed the "chicken lady," said participating in the Empty Stocking distribution was "a blessing for everybody."

EMPTY STOCKING TOTALS

Anonymous $100

Ted & Josie Martinez $50

Amanda Bell $200

Arguijo Oilfield Services Inc. $2,500

Anonymous $30

Employees of Stewart & Stevenson Rig Division $741

Today's total: $3,621.00

Final total: $114,129.12

>> The fundraising campaign got off to a slow start, but the final numbers were a record for the Fund - the campaign ended with $114, 129.12.

>> The Salvation Army distributed hundreds of food boxes, bicycles, toys and more all day Monday so that underprivileged families all over Odessa could have a normal Christmas.