More than 100 patients and siblings from 42 families received more than 400 gifts donated by the community at the 4th annual Holiday Shoppe event.
AUSTIN, Texas — The holidays will be a little easier for some Central Texas kids battling cancer.
On Saturday, 42 families of pediatric cancer patients shopped at Celebration Church in Central Austin for free gifts donated by the community.
It’s the fourth year the nonprofit B.I.G. Love Cancer Care has hosted the Holiday Shoppe event.
The group helps families of pediatric cancer patients across Texas by providing meals, counseling, financial assistance and other resources.
Calista Flores, the Program and Business Development Director in Central Texas for B.I.G. Love Cancer Care, started as a volunteer at this event.
“It’s an amazing feeling to provide that comfort and know that we’re actually making a difference in these families’ lives,” said Flores. “They tell me that too, and it’s even more heartwarming.”
Crystal Mosley was at the event shopping for her granddaughter, Adora.
“She’s very smart,” said Mosley. “She’s not your normal 4-year-old. She’s into Barbie this year. So, everything Barbie. So, I got a lot of everything Barbie. So, she’s gonna be very happy come Christmas.”
Mosley told KVUE the event helps because she’s on a strict budget.
“This is wonderful,” she said. “This really made my Saturday.”
Many of the volunteers helping these families were kids themselves.
“It’s really heartwarming that we get to see the families really enjoy shopping for their kids,” said Olivia.
“It’s really good for parents to see their kids smile on Christmas Day,” said Damien.
“I’d be so happy if I was going through the same thing and somebody else came to do this for me,” said Evelyn.
“I love how the children are always smiling and how the parents are smiling over this really nice gesture,” said Camila.
Anyone interested in donating or volunteering at an event or hospital can visit this link.
In addition to Austin, the group also has opportunities in San Antonio and Houston.
KVUE awarded a grant through its parent company, Tegna, to B.I.G. Love Cancer Care in 2024.