DENISON, Texas (KXII) – For the ninth year in a row, owner Eric Bryant of Classic Chevrolet Cadillac in Denison took his family and his team on a shopping spree to the Denison Walmart, all for Toys for Tots.

“When we were young, we were struggling for some Christmases and we know what it’s like to be on each side of the equation,” Bryant said. “It was important to us as a family to do everything we could to make sure we can put smiles on as many children’s faces as humanly possible.”

Bryant said that it all started very simply.

“Our friends at Toys for Tots allowed us to set up a a collection location at the dealership,” he said. “Having only been open for a couple of months, we didn’t have a lot of toys collected.”

That is when Bryant decided to go on a shopping spree.

“That first round we filled up, I think, 2 pickup trucks full of toys,” he said. “It was such an amazing experience that I wanted to be able to share it with my team and my family.”

Ever since then, that’s exactly what it has become – a family affair for both his family and the dealership.

“We get to share that spirit of giving with every member of the team, and then it just kind of becomes infectious,” Bryant said.

He said for his kids, it’s been eye-opening.

“I remember the first year that I brought the entire family shopping, which was our second year doing this, my kids were exponentially more excited about giving toys to other children than they were themselves,” Bryant said. “As a parent, what could make you more proud?”

Their mission is always to fill one more cart than last year.

“This year it happened so fast because we have so many people,” he said. “I think we might have gone even a little further.”

With each year comes a new challenge, but the ultimate goal remains the same – make sure every child in Texoma has a Merry Christmas.

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