As is the case every year during the Christmas holidays, the office of Hays CISD Director of Community Relations Angie Mendez merrily deals with – and meets – a huge  need for “Santa support” for many of the district’s most in-need families. Mendez annually oversees the HCISD Angel Tree, this year bringing gifts to an estimated 100 families. A surprise call came in this year, as the U.S. Marine Corps “Toys for Tots” program unexpectedly delivered over 500 toys to the district – all of them needing to be wrapped. A master at marshaling local resources, Mendez called in a committed force of community volunteers, parents, Lehman High School Leos Club members and Hays High School students to quickly and efficiently wrap the entire load. All of the 500+ gifts were then distributed to local Pre-K students. (Courtesy photo)