TEXARKANA, Ark. -- People look forward to the holidays for various reasons.
Some enjoy spending the extra time with their families; others anticipate opening gifts.
For Chris Daly, local disc jockey known as DJ Hollygrove on Da Track, the holidays are a time for giving back to others.
On Sunday, Dec. 18, Daly will host his annual Christmas toy giveaway at 2 p.m. at Mount Grove Full Gospel Baptist Church. The event is first come, first serve, and no registration is necessary.
"Everyone is invited," he said.
After years of promoting himself to create a name for his business in the local entertainment industry, Daly realized that promoting the welfare of others gave him the greatest gift: a sense of family in a town he turned to when he had nothing.
"I just learned that you're nothing without the people," he said. "So in order to get support, you got to give support."
Daly has hosted giveaways for the holidays and back-to-school season for seven years with his church. He and members of Mount Grove Full Gospel, with the help of community contributions, have donated thousands of turkeys, toys and school supplies to people in need.
"The holidays and back to school are the most important parts of the year," Daly said.
Each giveaway Daly hosts requires at least several weeks of preparation. He covers many of the expenses out of pocket in providing turkeys, hams, chickens and other food items to assemble a Thanksgiving meal or acquiring toys and school supplies.
"He amazes me with his heart to serve others," said Kenneth Reid, Mount Grove Full Baptist pastor. "He is such a giver and gifted young man."
Quinton Watson, a deacon at the church, praises Daly as "supportive of the community."
Daly said the response to the giveaways has touched his heart.
"I remember at one of my toy giveaways a kid hugged me and was very thankful for getting something," Daly said. "It was just a warm feeling."
Daly was not always a part-time Santa or sorts.
After being displaced and temporarily homeless when Hurricane Katrina wrecked his hometown of New Orleans in 2005, Daly relocated to Texarkana.
"I had no choice but to be patient and stand tall," Daly said. "It was a very difficult time for me and my hometown, but we made it."
He was already a musician, having played the drums since age 3, so it was natural transition into church drummer at Mount Grove, where he has been a member for 17 years. Daly did not stop there; he grew his skill set and picked up deejaying to fuel a career.
Playing off the name of his hometown neighborhood of Hollygrove, Daly became formally known as DJ Hollygrove on Da Track.
"I play rap, R&B, gospel, country and even Latin music," he said. "I've been all over the South, from Louisiana to Georgia, and of course some of the best in Texarkana."
Locally, Daly has performed at The Dapper, Mr. D's, The Hideout, Crossties and the Perot Theater.
"Music is my therapy, and I love making people smile," Daly said.
Using the power of music to connect with the community and his church, Daly has grown his art into a way to share selflessly with others.
"I love giving back; that's the best gift," Daly said.