As Christmas morning draws near and families prepare for the joy of unwrapping gifts, we want to take a moment to reflect on the generosity our community has shown this holiday season. This year, our UVBA office was honored to serve as an official Toys for Tots drop-off location; and because of you, dozens of children in our local area will wake up tomorrow to a gift they may not have otherwise received.

The Toys for Tots mission has always been simple but powerful: deliver hope. For many children, especially those facing hardship, the holidays can be a painful reminder of what they’re going without. Something as small as a toy — a doll, a truck, a puzzle, a game — can remind a child that they are seen, valued, and cared for. It’s more than a present; it’s a message of possibility.

Thanks to your donations, that message will be felt across our community on Christmas morning.

At UVBA, our mission closely aligns with that spirit of service. We guide veterans and their families through complicated processes so they don’t have to navigate them alone — acting as a steady point of direction, a North Star when they need one most. Supporting Toys for Tots felt like a natural extension of that purpose. After all, investing in our community doesn’t start or stop with the work we do during the week; it’s woven into who we are.

This year, you helped us shine a little brighter.

From our entire UVBA team, thank you for lifting up local families, for spreading joy generously, and for reminding us that the strongest communities are built on acts of kindness.

We wish you a warm, safe, and meaningful Christmas, and we look forward to serving you in the year ahead.

Merry Christmas, and thank you for helping make this holiday season a little brighter for every child.

‍