I am so proud of my sons, Nick and Will. They both have autism spectrum disorders and they may not understand everything that goes on in the world, but they have sweet and kind hearts. They understand giving to others and helping others who are not as blessed as they are.

Eight years ago, our family began participating in the annual Marine Corp Toys for Tots campaign.  In Arkansas, it is hosted by Bob Robbins, a popular DJ for KSSN Radio in Little Rock.  Bob has been hosting Toys for Tots at "Toy Hill" for 37 years. He starts at 5 p.m. on the first Friday in December and stays at Toy Hill around the clock until 5 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. He and the generous people of Arkansas have made the Arkansas Toys for Tots toy drive one of the most, if not the most, successful programs in the nation.

Each week throughout the year, Nick and Will take money from their allowances and save it in clear plastic piggy banks. They then take this money to Toy Hill to help buy toys for children that would not have toys. This afternoon they proudly carried their piggy banks to Toy Hill and handed them to Bob Robbins. Thanks to my sons, my employer, Vestcom International, Inc. and dozens of Vestcom associates who generously gave hundreds of toys, Arkansas will likely meet its goal of providing toys to meet over 100,000 requests for toys in our state.  With the bad economy this year, I am so thrilled to hear this good news. Nine semi-trucks were loaded with toys and more will be purchased with the financial contributions made by so many.

My sons have come a long way from the first year they went to Toy Hill. Back then, Nick did not want to give away the toy he bought for another children and he had a major meltdown. (We didn't know he had autism at the time.) I am blessed because even though my children have autism, they also have two parents, a nice home, a clean, warm bed to sleep in, plenty of food to eat, clothes to wear, and yes, toys for Christmas.  They can't imagine a child without toys on Christmas, and frankly, neither can I.  As long as there are the Bob Robbinses of the world and other generous people like him, perhaps no child will ever wake up on Christmas morning to find no toys under his or her tree.

Thanks to Bob Robbins and all of the other generous folks who donated toys.