Isaac Garza, a Kawasaki Disease survivor, hopes to collect at least 2,000 toys during this year’s milestone toy drive to help make the holidays a little merrier for hospitalized kids at STHS Children’s.
“It’s better to give than to receive” may be a popular saying about the psychological and spiritual impact the act of giving has on an individual.
But for 16-year-old Isaac Garza, he gives because he received.
In 2016, at age 7, Isaac was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease, a condition that mainly affects children and causes inflammation in the artery walls and affects blood flow to the heart. He spent 60 days in a San Antonio hospital for life-saving treatment following a near-death event.
During his hospitalization, he received at least one toy each day from the facility’s Child Life department, which provided a sense of normalcy, joy and distraction during a stressful time.
“It’s hard to describe how you feel when your child is gravely ill; it’s a living nightmare. As a parent in a hospital room with a sick child, all you want is for your child to feel better and get well,” says Laura Gomez Garza, Isaac’s mom, who still has vivid memories of her son’s reaction to receiving toys from hospital staff during his hospitalization. “I remember his respiratory therapist bringing him a model car; Isaac’s face lit up, it was pure joy! That toy lifted his spirits, and he immediately started playing with it. It was a welcome distraction, a moment of escape from the beeping of the machines, being connected to an IV and the discomfort of spending weeks in a hospital bed. Those moments are the ones you hold on to because your child is so happy in that moment.”
Following his discharge, Isaac vowed to bring the same positivity he experienced to other kids hospitalized during the holidays at that same San Antonio facility. The following year, he launched another holiday toy drive, this time for the patients at South Texas Health System (STHS) Children’s, where he would go for follow-up visits with his doctor, as well as any required imaging and lab work.
To date, Isaac has collected more than 10,000 items like games, books and stuffed animals for hospitalized patients.
“It’s a great feeling to know that I have collected so many toys for hospitalized patients through our annual Isaac’s Angels Toy Drive, especially because it’s just my family and friends who put them on,” says Isaac, who is currently a sophomore at South Texas ISD Science Academy. “We’re not a big corporation; we’re just a small group who wants to help out other children in the community during an emotional time in their lives.”
For his 10th annual drive, which he hosts through the non-profit organization his family launched to secure larger donations from corporations like Barnes & Noble, Isaac is hoping to collect 2,000 items. That would surpass his all-time record of 1,620 toys, books and gifts in 2024.
Launched on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, this year’s toy drive will run through Friday, December 12, 2025, with collection sites located throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
If you’re interested in participating in this year’s Isaac’s Angels Toy Drive, you can stop by one of the following locations in Edinburg, Mission, McAllen, Pharr and Rio Grande City (listed in alphabetical order):
Abrazos Adult Day Care, 1117 E. Dallas Ave., McAllen, TX 78501
ACT Pipe & Supply, 1004 N. Shary Rd., Mission, TX 78572
Children’s Dental Center, 1801 S. 5th St., Ste. 112, McAllen, TX 78503
Dental Park No. 1, 930 E Expressway 83, McAllen, TX 78503
Dental Park No. 2, 330 N. McColl Rd., Ste. M, McAllen, TX 78501
Encore Fine Properties, 817 N. Ware Rd., McAllen, TX 78501
Exotic Berry, 5000 E. US Highway 83, Unit 1, Rio Grande City, TX 78582
Gold Financial Services, 4757 S. Jackson Rd., Edinburg, TX 78539
Hilton Garden Inn McAllen Airport, 617 W. Expressway 83, McAllen, TX 78503
Jaime Lee Gonzalez Realtor Team, 1715 W. Trenton Rd., Ste. 202, Edinburg, TX 78539
Komplex Electric, Inc., 4801 Auburn Ave., McAllen, TX 78504
Performance Therapeutics, 2528 Buddy Owens Blvd., McAllen, TX 78504
Performance Therapeutics, 500 Lindberg Ave., McAllen, TX 78501
Pretty Nail Bar, 5000 E. US Highway 83, Rio Grande City , TX 78582
Pure Physical Therapy, 5413 N. 23rd St., McAllen, TX 78504
Region One ESC, 1900 W Schunior St., Edinburg, TX 78541
Terracon Consultants, Inc., 1506 Mid Cities Dr., Pharr, TX 78577
“It takes a village to help brighten the spirits of children in the hospital, especially during the holiday season,” says Laura. “When we come together as a community to support toy drives like Isaac’s, we’re helping bring joy to kids who desperately need it. I’ve witnessed firsthand how those toys help lift spirits and put smiles on children’s faces. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?” On Saturday, December 13, at 12:00 p.m., Isaac and his family – escorted by state troopers from the Texas Department of Public Safety and joined by student volunteers and his friends – will drop off the items collected during his monthlong drive in a 20-foot U-Haul truck, which he hopes to drive into the parking lot now that he has a learner’s permit.
“I’m grateful to everyone who has supported my toy drives over the years and can’t wait to drive up to STHS Children’s with a truckload of toys, books and gifts for the young patients in the hospital’s care,” says Isaac. “I hope you’ll consider helping make a big impact on hospitalized children this year with your donations!”
To learn more about Isaac’s story, visit the STHS YouTube page. If you’re interested in learning more about Isaac’s Toy Drive or donating to his cause, contact Isaac via his public Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068982248965.
About South Texas Health System
South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system’s South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first freestanding children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart and seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.
Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of South Texas Health System. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians.
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