10,000 gifts distributed for school children during Navidad en el Barrio's 37th Christmas Program

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- At NRG Center, there are 10,000 gifts, each one destined to bring a smile to a child's face this Christmas.

Friday was the 37th annual gift-wrapping party for Navidad en el Barrio.

Hundreds of volunteers at NRG Center were packing, taping, and wrapping each gift with love.

Izzy Gomez was a young Houston police officer when he launched Navidad en el Barrio in 1987.

It was a way to share the joy of Christmas with children in underserved communities. Today, the nonprofit is a community-wide effort.

The toys being wrapped are going to 2,000 pre-selected children from 50 schools across the Houston area.

For many, this will be the only Christmas gift they will receive.

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