See how you can help spread the holiday cheer during the annual community bike ride happening this weekend.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The holiday spirit is gearing up to roll through the Coastal Bend as the community gets ready for this year’s Teddy Bear Ride. 

Wings of Texas organizers Michelle Jones and Maria Gallardo say bright smiles and big hearts are expected as collection boxes are up in local businesses ready to be picked up this Friday, Dec. 12, inviting residents to drop off new toys and stuffed animals for children spending the holidays at Driscoll Children’s Hospital to be delivered Sunday, Dec. 14.

Jones says it all started 10 years ago, when Tom at Bay Area Bicycles invited Wing of Texas to participate in the Teddy Bear ride, making it a memorable and successful event that has now been adopted annually for children.

Organizers and participants are expected to meet on Sunday at Bay Area Bicycles for a joyful group ride to deliver the gifts—spreading cheer, goodwill, and plenty of holiday magic along the way. 

For anyone short on time, Jones says they’re happily accepting donations to ensure that every child receives something special this season. Whether its through their Amazon wish list or a monetary donation.

Jones says a simple teddy bear brightens kids’ days, despite being in the hospital during the holidays, ” My son has spent several Christmases in Driscoll. As a family, you’re sitting there, and the world is going on, and Christmas is happening, and you’re at the hospital. To have that knock on the door and have someone bring you that gift makes you remember that somebody’s remembering you on the outside, praying for you, part of being in the community.”

For more information on the event, click here.