Kingsburg volunteers go extreme shopping for families in need

KINGSBURG, Calif. (KFSN) -- "It's extreme shopping sprees. I'm talking six, seven carts full of toys at a time," said toy drive volunteer Myra Torrez.

Consider them Santa's elves, working tirelessly to purchase toys for a program called "Christmas With Dignity," put on by Kingsburg Community Assistance Programs and Services (KCAPS). It's designed to give families a hand up, instead of a hand *out by giving parents an opportunity to pay $5 for a bundle of toys for each child valued at 40 to 50 dollars. If they can't afford it, the fee is always waived, but they say that's rarely the case.

"It's about giving the parents the opportunity to purchase their own toy for their own child, to actually choose it and keep that dignity. Like I invested in something, I bought it, no one picked it out. No one is bringing it to my house, it's me," said director Aida Rushing.

More than 600 children signed up for Christmas With Dignity this year, which focuses on families in Traver, London, and Kingsburg. KCAPS has thrift stores in each of those cities that help provide emergency services for those who need it. Before Myra Torrez became a volunteer, she was a client.

"They helped me when I was a little bit down and out and I wasn't working at the time," Torrez said. "I wanted to give back to these people who helped me when I needed it."

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"It's extreme shopping sprees. I'm talking six, seven carts full of toys at a time," said toy drive volunteer Myra Torrez.

Consider them Santa's elves, working tirelessly to purchase toys for a program called "Christmas With Dignity," put on by Kingsburg Community Assistance Programs and Services (KCAPS). It's designed to give families a hand up, instead of a hand *out by giving parents an opportunity to pay $5 for a bundle of toys for each child valued at 40 to 50 dollars. If they can't afford it, the fee is always waived, but they say that's rarely the case.

"It's about giving the parents the opportunity to purchase their own toy for their own child, to actually choose it and keep that dignity. Like I invested in something, I bought it, no one picked it out. No one is bringing it to my house, it's me," said director Aida Rushing.

More than 600 children signed up for Christmas With Dignity this year, which focuses on families in Traver, London, and Kingsburg. KCAPS has thrift stores in each of those cities that help provide emergency services for those who need it. Before Myra Torrez became a volunteer, she was a client.

"They helped me when I was a little bit down and out and I wasn't working at the time," Torrez said. "I wanted to give back to these people who helped me when I needed it."