Sul Ross State University Athletics recently teamed up with Child Protective Services for the third annual Children's Christmas Giving Tree Drive.

This year's drive benefits disadvantaged children in the West Texas region.

"We were happy to have CPS supervisor Azucena Carrasco and her staff come by the athletic department to collect the gifts," said department secretary Kathy Moreno.

"Our coaches and their families really showed their generosity and contributed," said Moreno. "This has been a very productive project in helping put smiles on children's faces."

"The athletics department is hopeful that this event will continue to evolve as we are able to reach out to these youngsters who really don't have a whole lot of hope during this season," she said.

According to CPS case investigators, this year's drive has helped several families throughout the area.

The Children's Protective Services Frontier Unit of the Region 10 Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) covers five counties including Brewster, Jeff Davis, Presidio, Culberson and Hudspeth.