Jarel's Toy Chest

Jarel's Toy Chest History

In 1996, the New Life Christian Center began what was known as Project Bless a Child. The project itself was an effort to reach as many children as possible in the San Antonio Community by giving away toys at Christmas. "Christmas is my favorite time of year," states Dr. LaSalle R. Vaughn. Even though so many of the church people were blessed by this event, it was a sad realization that many other children in the city would not have a merry Christmas. This burden birthed a new project in the heart of Dr. Vaughn and his wife Co-Pastor Portia Brooks Vaughn, an annual Toy Give-Away to try and reach more children of the city. In 1999 it began with  Deborah Melvin as the coordinator and chairperson, the goal was to reach children in the city who would not have a merry Christmas because of family financial woes or other challenges.

Deborah Melvin set out to meet the needs of the project by asking individual members of the church to contribute a toy(s). This soon led to reaching out to businesses and partnering with the International Community Development Corporation to make this project a great success. Working along with Deborah Melvin were her husband, Arnold Melvin, her mother and "Mother in Zion", Alma Peay, and her three children Oneika, Ja'rel, and Jared. Each year this family came together, and in their own unique way, got donations and toys that were "age appropriate" for the children in the community. Every toy is purchased with safety in mind. Each give-away event reaches over 2000 children.

Contributions come through leaders in business, philanthropy, and faith that are united in their goal to ensure the holiday rings with affirmation of our community spirit. Donations are tax deductible and donations are publicly acknowledged to the church and community.

The toy give-away, usually a joyous occasion, was touched by sadness and mourning when the Melvin's suffered the loss of their eldest son, Jarel. Despite this untimely event, the Melvin Family along with the New Life family persevered and our greatest toy give-away to date was held on the campus of the church. Working together, church members organized and decorated gifts and helped to coordinate the event. The toys were wrapped in brightly colored paper and the age of the child, boy or girl, was labeled on the package. The toys are brand names such as Mattel, Hasbro, V-Tech, Leap Frog and others. Multiple bicycles were given away.   Personal CD players complete with headsets, dolls such as Bratz and Barbie's were also among the myriad of toys. Others included hand held video games, board games, basketballs, and footballs.

We have had numerous dignitaries in attendance at our give-away such as prominent city and state leader Honorable Mayor Ed Garza, City Council members, the Honorable State Representative Ken Mercer.  and Mayor of San Antonio Julian Castro. Cartoon characters such as Sponge Bob, Bob the Builder, Dora, and the infamous Spurs Coyote, entertain the children. It was during the Toy Give-Away in 2003 that the event was renamed Ja'rel's Toy Chest in memory of the Melvin's son.

In an interview with the event coordinator, when asked why she works so diligently to ensure that the event is such a great success, Sister Melvin declared, "I do it for the children and it brings joy to my heart to see the faces of the parents, as well. The parents are so elated that someone cared enough for their child to give them something for Christmas that they themselves were unable to provide due to circumstances in their lives at that present time. For me, there is no greater joy than showing the love of Jesus, especially at this time of the year. For some, this is the only expression of Jesus they will ever see." Numerous phone calls come in to the church from parents thanking the church and ICDC for providing such an event and assisting the community.

Any business wishing to participate in this annual event may do so by sending a tax-deductible donation in any amount to New Life Christian Center/Ja'rel's Toy Chest or the International Community Development Corporation. Donations should be marked "for toy give-away." Additional information may be obtained by calling us at (210) 679-6001 and asking for Deborah Melvin or viewing our web site at www.icdcorp.org .

About Event Coordinator Deborah Melvin:
Arnold and Deborah Melvin transferred to San Antonio in 1992 from Hawaii. They became members of the church in 1993 and began working tirelessly in whatever capacity they could find. Arnold, a member of the U.S. Army soon retired and worked for VIA transit as a driver, later becoming Transportation Supervisor for the New Life Christian Academy. Deborah became vitally involved with the New Life Academy as Facility Administrator and Purchasing Agent for the school. She facilitated the remodeling of the church Bookstore and now co-manages it along with Minister Brenda Evans. Deborah is well loved and receives great support from her family and is noted for her gift of helps in any area of the church while her husband, Arnold, is a Deacon.