HOUSTON — As winter approaches, as many people are busy preparing for Thanksgiving and Christmas, Josh Hader and his wife, Maria, brought the community to a stop and a chokehold: they just held their second “Hader’s Heart Toy Drive” at Daikin Park — a charity campaign to give Christmas gifts to underprivileged children, with an unprecedented toy donation record.
Between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. local time, hundreds of gifts — new and unopened — were brought to the area in front of Daikin Park; from teddy bears, dolls, educational toys to school supplies — all for children in partnership with BEAR Houston (Be A Resource). Josh and Maria stood there, accepting gifts and smiling at each one — proving that the holiday season is not just a time to receive, but also a time to give.
Hader emotionally shared with reporters:
“We are trying to collect as many gifts as possible — just to bring joy and smiles to the children. This season, the most meaningful is still sharing.”
This is not the first time Josh and Maria have performed a heartwarming act. After moving to Houston and signing with the Houston Astros in early 2024, they quickly founded a charitable initiative called Hader’s Heart — determined to help children in need in the community.
Last year, they organized a similar toy drive — picking up toys and giving them to children living in the foster care system or facing hardship — and received strong support from fans, teammates and the local community.
BEAR Houston — the organization chosen to receive the gifts — specializes in supporting children in special circumstances: orphans, abandoned children, children in social protection programs… Every year, BEAR serves more than 30,000 children in the Houston area — and thanks to Hader’s Heart, thousands of them will have a warmer, more fulfilling Christmas.
In the baseball world, people often remember strikeouts, ERAs, home runs — dry numbers, statistics. But Hader’s actions today show: the real impact of a player sometimes lies off the field — in the smiles, the eyes of a child who received a Christmas gift, in the hope that the community is lit.
A BEAR staff member said:
“Each of those gifts is more than just a toy — it is hope, a smile, a little light for children who have been through so much instability.”
The Houston community, Astros fans, and baseball fans across the country are looking at Josh & Maria Hader with admiration — not for a hit, but for their open hearts, for the reminder that true success is about giving.
Hader’s Heart Toy Drive is still open for toys until the end of BEAR’s Amazon wish list — meaning anyone can participate, even if they can’t come in person.
And as winter turns cold, as families struggle, as children need a little hope — Josh & Maria Hader’s actions are like a flickering candle, illuminating the community, reminding everyone: Kindness doesn’t need a stage, it just needs an open heart.
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