SAN ANTONIO – KSAT and our community partners have been making this holiday season extra bright for those who truly deserve it through our Holiday Helper campaign.
One of our holiday helpers holds the homeless community close to her heart. Mattie Epperson's Christmas wish was to hand out goody bags to the homeless.
KSAT surprised Epperson at her home in December with 100 bags filled with hygiene products and snacks for her to hand out.
Epperson distributed them just in time for Christmas.
"Everybody, they're giving something for free right here in the trunk of this car right now," Marcus Roland shouted out when he saw what Epperson was doing.
"Oh my gosh. You all are a blessing," Roland said.
Epperson brought Christmas cheer when she pulled up and popped the trunk.
"When donations come, we are very grateful and very thankful to get donations," Amber Leonard said as she took a bag.
Epperson reaches out to the homeless because she's doesn't feel they're fairly represented. She said even a small gesture like this really goes a long way for them.
"People don't want to help them because they're thinking they're lazy, they're shiftless, and that's not always the case," Epperson said.
Epperson’s help goes beyond the holiday season. She keeps them close to her year-round.
"I usually keep bottled water in my car, peanut butter crackers, cookies, something like that, and if I see someone sitting on a bench at a light, I will roll my window down and pass somebody something out," Epperson said.
The goody bags were filled with hygiene products, like soap, a washcloth and socks. There were also snacks inside.
And what made them extra special was a handwritten Christmas card from Epperson.
"This means that people do care about us, no matter what our situation is. No matter what we're going through, there are people that do care about us," Keith Thompson said.
"As minor as it may seem to us, it's a lot to them," Epperson said.
KSAT 12 and our community sponsors are teaming up this season to give back to those who have kept alive the spirit of giving all throughout the holidays, as part of our Holiday Helper campaign.
The KSAT 12 Community partners include Security Service Federal Credit Union, Corner Store and University Health System.