While shopping for Christmas presents has your cashier ever asked you, “Would you like to donate to Toys for Tots?” I recently interviewed Notre Dame’s Freshman Theology teacher, Norm Steinruck, whose experiences and unwavering support for the Toys for Tots organization should inspire you to respond, “Yes!” every time you are asked.

One of the most meaningful events in our school’s community is Toys for Tots. Since my freshman year, I have witnessed countless students dedicating their time, effort and resources to make a child’s best Christmas a reality for children in need. Mr. Steinruck has been involved with the Toys for Tots organization for eight years now at Notre Dame, and the growth he has achieved for this organization each year is remarkable.

I asked him how the numbers this year have differed from when he first worked with Toys for Tots? He said that the numbers have steadily grown each year with the help from Facebook, Venmo, the Knights of Columbus at his parish, his relatives, Notre Dame alumni and the Christmas portraits he took at Notre Dame, of which he donated all of the proceeds to the organization.

Students in his classes and throughout the whole school also participated in this time to give back by volunteering in a variety of ways. He said he told his students he wished he could just donate all of the money himself and not have to bother them.

“When we all make a little sacrifice,” he said. “we can make a huge difference.”

Throughout all of this time and effort, we raised $4,000 and three large, overflowing donation boxes of toys this year, in comparison to the first year, when $500 and a small amount of toys were collected. From this, you can visualize the success his impact has made for Toys for Tots and the many deserving children.

It is such an enormous responsibility to give many children the opportunity of an amazing Christmas experience and even more difficult to make it happen. But what made Mr. Steinruck decide that he wanted to start going out of his way to donate toys to kids for Christmas? His response really resonated with me and shows the true and everlasting impact Toys for Tots can have on someone.

“When I was a kid, I had a brother who was waiting for a heart transplant,” he explained. “He was in the hospital for the last year of his life. My two brothers and I lived with my grandparents, and we received presents that year from a guy in a Jeep. Looking back, I’m fairly positive that it was a Marine who dropped them off. Since having three kids of my own and seeing how happy they are on Christmas, my wife and I are just trying to bring that happiness to some other families.”

His own personal experience with Toys for Tots easily shows his purposeful and meaningful mission with them and Notre Dame. From seeing the impact of this program from an organizer’s and receiver’s perspective, his experience alone should urge everyone to donate to Toys for Tots next Christmas season and allow children in need to experience the joy of a wonderful Christmas.

“Change your perspective,” Mr. Steinruck said. “Look at your blessings and think, ‘How can Igive back?’ Utilize your talents, time, skills and money and help others. It is ALWAYS worth it.”