sponsors with families who then buy gifts to make one of the most memorable times of the year a little brighter for everyone ... and today was their r g day. nats: screaming ... trying to find peopop. vo: sometimes santa needs a little help ... and this time he got it. the facebook group called "sioux city christmas help 2015" celebrated their big christmas party to help families in need of a more enjoyable christmas. how do they do this? well it's all through the help of social media. facebook and i asked me t tcontact contacted cherrie information. daughters age, sizes what she is interested in and they posted on the pa and then kerry said she would sponsor as got sponsored." has 515 members ... over 150 families had be sponsored and do it "just being able to help somebody out and seeing the smiles on the kids faces ... i mean i was just so shopping for them ... "it tells me that people oututhere. if juju get this out ere more we could bring the spirit there that it still exists." it's a community coming together wanting to help others and giving what others can't have. cherie vanlaningham appreciates the people who are still "we have over 150 families come out and it's pretty overwhelming that that many people actual come out to help. a lot of times with things being hard you wouldn't think anybody would and we have had a lot of peopleleorward and sponsor these kids that need a better christmas ... that's the best part about it. and because a lot of times other programs aren't from santa claus yesterday. besides santa's visit, attendees could also purchase one dollar. ronald mcdonald house charities will receive the money generated from sales of the ornaments as well as 20 per- cent of sunday's brunch sales the money raised will be used to help purchase toiletry items for families duringngheir stay at the ronald mcdonald house. "it's s nd of a fun holiday timeo let the kids come in and and see santa, minerva's is so generous to let us do this and they give us 20 percent of the proceeds from today's brunch to go back to the house, which is fantastic. it's a great amount of money that we can't say thank you enough for," said batien. jessica rae: minervas and the ronald mcdonald house charities of siouxland have successfully hosted the santa brunch for several years now. jessica rae: in case you haven't finished your shopping yet... we have a warning for all of you procrastinators. before yououlick your way t tthe checkout... . abc's gloria riviera has more on a holiday scam causing some big holiday headaches "this holiday season beware of scam artists online waiting for you. shopping for her daughter, mom mindy hayes clicked on an ad in her facebook said, 'oh, great deal.'" those boots never retailer apparently a fake. "when i got my confirmation email, it just didn't look just text." mindy - an avid online shopper - who works in it.. was out 83 dollars. experts warn.. it could have been worse. more moneyey or mary powow, ceo council for better business bureaus: puts you in danger, family and friends in danger. gr: all of that can click. so.. what should you be looking for? safe sites have an 's' with a lock in the url. fake sites often have typos and grammatical errors. real online businesses have extensive privacy policies. facebook q qckly investigated... telling abc news.. it has "blocked this website from placing future ads." as for mindy hayes.. she's working to get her money back... mindy hayes: it's hard to know who you can and cannot buy from online gloria riviera, abc still to come... if you haven't shipped your holiday presents yet... now might be the time to do so i'll tell you why... after the break. scott: we'll have... "you're watching abc9 news this morning... jessica rae... and scott larson.... this is abc9 news this morning. " "" good monwhere a moisture dense system is the region. on the stormcast hd, you can see that this will move away by day. however, approach us tomorrow. we expect to see a light rain and snow w mbo tomorrow afternoon. then we'll see a transition over to pure snow by tuesday night into early wednesday. expect a tenth to a quarter inch of rain and less than a half inch of snow. today's forecast calls for a morning mix then we'll have cloudy skies and a high of 40. the low tonight is 28. tomorrow's high is 39 with an afternoon mix. here's the 7 day forecast. jessica rae: scott: adlib where a moisture dense system is spinning through can see that this will move away by the middle of the day. however, another system will approach us tomorrow. we expect to see a light rain and snow combo tomorrow afternoon. then we'll see a trtrsition over to purerenow by tuesday y ght into early wednesday. expect a tenth to a quarter inch of rain and less than a half inch of snow. today's forecast calls for a morning mix then we'll have cloudy skies and a high of 40. the low tonight is 28. tomorrow's high is 39 with an afternoon mix. here's the 7 day forecast. where a moisture dense system is spinning through the region. on the ormcast hd, you can see that this will move away by the middle of the day. however, another system will approach us tomorrow. we expect to see a light tomorrow afternoon. then we'll see a transition over to pure snow by tuesday night into jessica rae: we here at abc9 are encouraging siouxland to join us in giving back this holiday season with the operation toys drive. operation toys is a program intended to spread chrismas of needy children around siouxland. take part...all you have to do is bring a new toy to any bomgaars location...or drop here at our ab9 studio located on douglas street. all of the toys donated willll remain here in souixland and will go to the salvation arar to be distributed to less fortunate families. jessica rae: it's getting closer to crunch time... for those of you who are sending presents in the mail. shipping companies are keep up with the year. worley has tips gifts arrive on time. "(jingle bells ringing nats) well?with just 2 days left in hanukkah and less than 2 weeks until christmas - time is procrastinators to holiday shipping information expected package spell trouble for millions of online shoppers. "i was expecting the gifts to get here. nothing's going to be under the tree, no." the reason? u-p-s keep up! the number of people ordering online sky year? making on-time deliveries a challenge this holiday season. so how can you make sure you don't get left out in the cold? first - get high tech. apps like "slice" can help you monitor all of your online orders? and show you exactly when your package is set to arrive. even easier a new app called curbside lets you order on your phone from many retailers including target up. >>"i pull in and fire up the app they bring everything i ordered right to the car, i don't even have to get out." >>"welcome to target curbside?may i see your id. got your items right here." >>thank you so much. >>"that was convenient" but if your must- have gift is only online?make sure you order ininime. if you need standard shipping-- you only have 3 more days to ship with the post office? fedex setting the cutoff for december 16th? but ups will give you 2 extra days until december 18th (money/cgsh register nats) before you have to shell out the extra cash to make sure time. over the weekend people puckered up in georgia in an world record: the most couples kissing under the mistletoe at once. two hundred and one couples... participated in the event at six flags in georgia saturday night. thth joined hands and kissed for at least ten seconds under springs of mistletoe. it was all part of the "holiday in the park" celebration. pictures from the event showed an world records plaque commemorating jessica rae: " coming up.... the wait is almost over... star wars the force awakens opens up later this week... and after the break... you'll find out sold at an auction for a price that's out of this world! on friday, a bidder paid 25-thousand dollars for this luke skywalker action figure. it's considered incredibly rare. luke's light-saber broke easily, sothe e ys were pulled from production. this one...is still in the original packaging... making it priceless to collectors. jessica rae: like all the other star wars films, the latest installment has some complicated... and groundbreaking villains. here is a look at the people behind the dark side. " the actors behind the dark side are discussing their parts in the new star wars film... which opens this thursday." the actors behind the dark side are discussing their parts in t t new star warsrsilm... which opens this thursday."the actors behind the dark side are wars film... which opens this thursday."the actors behind the dark side are discussing their parts in the new star wars film... which opens this thursday."the actors behind the dark side are discussing their parts in the new star wars film... which opens thth thursday." jessica rara scott: jessica and scott are chatting about star wars. jessica and scott are chatting about star wars. jessica and scott are chatting about star wars. jessica and scott are chatting about star wars. scott: good morning siouxland. here's a look at our hd radar where wewee got a rain/sleet, snow mix pushing through the region. the map.winds are from the north and northwest and they're pretty strong between 20 and 30 miles per discussing their parts in the new star wars film... which opens this thursday." the actors behind the dark side are discussing their parts in the new star wars film... which opens this thursday."the acto behind the da side are discussing their parts in the new star wars film... which opens this thursday."the actors behind the dark side are discussing their parts in the new star wars film... which opens this thursday."the actors behind the dark side are discussing their parts in the new star wars film... which opens this thursday." jessica rae: scott: are chatting about star wars. are chatting about star wars. jeica and scott discussing their parts in the new star wars film... which opens this the actors behind the dark side are discussing their parts in the new star wars film... which opens this thursday."the actors behind the dark side are discussing their parts in the new star wars film... which opens this thursday."the actors behind the dark side are discussing their parts in the new star wars film... which opens this thursday."the actors behind the dark side are discussing their parts in the new star wars film... which opens this thursday." jessssa rae: scott:jessica and scott are chatting about jessica and scott are chatting about star wars. jessica and scott are chatting about star wars. jessica and scott are chatting about star wars. scott: good morning siouxland. here's a look at our hd radar where we've got a rain/sleet, snow mix pushing through the region. temperatures are in the 30s for most of the map.winds are from the north and star wars. are chatting about star wars. jessica and scott are chatting about star wars. jessica and scott are chatting about star wars. are chatting about star wars. pushing through the region. the 30s for most of the map.winds are from the north and northwest and they're pretty strong between 20 and 30 miles per hour. here's the planner where the will be about 40 degrees. here's a quick region. temperatures are in the 30s for most of the map.winds are from the north and northwest and they're pretty strong between 20 and 30 miles per hour. here's the planner where the high temperature will be about 40 degrees. scott: here's a quick rain/sleet, snow mix pushing through the region. temperatures are in the 30s for most of the map.winds are from the north and northwest and they're pretty strong between 20 and 30 m mes per hour. here's the high temperature will be about 40 degrees. scott: here's a quick check outside on one of our iowa d-o-t traffic cam's here at . many folks still waking up and starting their workday....please drive safely everyone... scott: now you'll want to watch your speed in these areas today: ... police will be running radars, here...s. lewis blvd. and on glenn ave. so again... mind that speed. jessica rae: thanks scott... twitter is telling some users to be on the look-out for cyber-attacks from overseas. reena ninan and richard d con have the latest details. hey there, in today's "techbytes," a warning from twitter. >> yeah, the company is sounding an alarm to some users that theirccount may have been rgeted by state sponsored hackers. >> the company says the small grupt of accounts were targeted but that there is no indation that any personal data was stolen. accocoing to swagway a azon stopped selling it along with several other brands pending a % fety review. >> the move comes after several fires have been linke to the popular devices. and chinese researchers are putting a new spin on the concept of a driverless car. their behind controlled vehicle allows drivers to take complete ntrol without usi their hands or fe. >> currently no plans to put the high-tech automobile in oduction. >> good.. sounds like a terrible ea. those r yourare your "techbytes." >> have a great day. you know that "wow, i'm starving" feeling? well now at subway you can "make it deluxe!" 50% more meat on any 6-inch sub for just 50 more, for our 50th anniversary. it's 50 fofor 50 on our 50th. so wheyou're craving that little extra... [meow mix jile slowly and quietly plucks] right on cue. [cat meows] meow, meow, meow, meow... it's more than just a meal, it's meow mix mealtime. with greataste and 100% complete nutrition, it's the only one cats ask for by name. here in vineland, home of progresso, we love all kinds chick soups... but juju one kind of chickenen whititbreast meat chicken n ery time. so if you're not going to make your own chick soup tonight, holiday season... but if you think candy canes are just for eating... think again. howard found a new way to use them! " if i asked you, what is the one candy that reminds you of christmas? chances are pretty good that you'll say cacay canes. yup, these crook-shaped, red ananwhite everywhere. i guess the thing that makes them so popular, besides being so festive, is that they're so versatile. for those of us looking to add a whimsical and budget-friendly touch to our christmas trees, candy canes make the perfect ornaments. looking to make fancy- schmancy place card holders for your holiday table, tie or glue, 3 mini candy canes together, like this, and you're guests will be quite impressed. and when you serve hot cocoa with a chocolate- dipped marshmallow, decorated with colored sugar on the end of a candy cane, you'll turn ordinary hot chocolate into extraordinary. but my all-time favorite way to enjoy these are to roll a "from- scratch-cookie- dough" in crushe candy canes before baking them off. what we end up with is a cookie that just shouts holiday special. between the buttery, minty flavor on the inside and the crunchy peppermint candy coating on the outside.these are one tasty cookie. to get the recipe for our, "peppermint crunch balls," along with more of our candy cane creations, just go online. i'm howard in the mr. food test kitchen, where today we found a "sweeter way" for you to say."ooh it's so good!!" " jessica rae: coming up.... according to the latest iowa polls... donald trump is no longer in the lead for the g-o-p nomination. stay tuned for ththlatest on the ce to the white house. scott: " " siouxland. here's a look at our hd radar where we've got a rain/sleet, snow mix pushing through the region. let's get a look outside on the port neal welding company skycam hd in sioux city. currently, temperatures are in the 30s for most of the map.winds are from t t north and northwest and they're pretty strong between0 and 30 miles per hour. here's our satellite and radar imagery where a moisture dense system is spinning through the region. you can see that this will move away by the middle of the day. however, another system will approach us tomorrow. we expect to see a light rain and snow combo tomorrow afternoon.n.hen we'll see a transition over to pure snow by tuesday night into early wednesday. expect a tenth to a quarter inch of rain and less than a half inch of snow. today's forecast calls for a morning mix then we'll have cloudy skies and a high of 40. the low tonight is 28. tomorrow's high is 39 with an afternoon mix. here's the 7 day forecast. rain/sleet, snow mix pushing through the region. let's get a look outside on the port neal welding company skycam hd in sioux city. currently, temperatures are in the 30s for most of northwest and they're pretty strong between 20 and 30 miles per hour. here's our satellite and radar imagery where a moisture dense system i ispinning through the region. on the stormcast hd, you can see that this will move away by the middle of the day. however, another system will approach us tomorrow. we expect to see a light rain and snow combo tomorrow afternoon. then early wednesday. expect a tenth to a quarter inch of rain and less than a halfinch of snow. todadas forecast calls for a momoing mix then we'll have cloudy skies and a high of 40. the low tonight is 28. tomorrow's high is mix. here's the 7 day forecast. rain/sleet, snow mix pushing through the region. let's get a look outside on the port neal welding company skycam hd in sioux city. currently, temperatures are in the 30s for most of the map.winds are from the north and northwest and they're pretty strong between 20 and 30 miles per hour. here's our satellite and radar moisture dense system is spinning through the region. on the stormcast hd, you can see that this will move away by the middle of the day. however, another system will approach us s tomorrow. we expect to see a light rain and snow combo tomorrow afternoon. then we'lsee a transition over to pure snow by tuesday night into early wednesday. expect a tenth to a quarter inch of rain there's a major shift in the race house.... a republican underdog is s w coming in ststng... ununating donald trump from his front runner status. abc's stephanie ramos has the latest. "the horse race between the gop presidential candidates is heating up. with senator ted cruz....on the fast track in iowa..... running neck-and- neck with donald trump. it's a swift rise for the texas senator - a 21 point gain since october, in one poll (gfx: cruz today at 31 percent vs cruz in october 19 dmr poll at 10 percent). cruz and trump up played nice with each other...but that all changed this weekend in iowa, trump digging at cruz for opposing popular ehtanol subsidies. trump sot: if ted ethanol, how is he winning in ia? because that's very anti-iowa. then on sunday morning shows.... "when you look at the way he's dealtwith the senate, where he goes in there like a -- you know, frankly, like a cruz in response ...tweeting th video, saying "in honor of my friend @realdonaldtrump and good-hearted #maniacs everywhere" but in the end ?.trump still wants to work with cruz?saying?he sees cruz playing a part in his administration... trump we would certainly have things in mind for ted to be honest with you. this back and forth kicking off after cruz could be heard on tape behind closed doors questioning trump's and rival ben carson's ability to run the country. cruz judgment: t's also question ofof jujument." as cruz z ses and trump verbally attacks.....carson is falling. carson tw: "poll numbers go up and down. i wasn't -- i wasn't excited when they were up. i'm not excited when they were down." the republican candidates will stand on the debate stage for the 5th time tomorrow. chris christie is back on the main stage.... after being dropped to the undercard debate last time... while...trump will be front and center again...this time flanked by ben carson and ted cruz. stephanie ramos abc news washington. president obama will make a rare visit to the pentagon today. he will meet with his top national security advisers toocus on the war against isis. it's what a spokesman calls an "update." white house officials say no major policy shift is expected to come out of it. this is president obama's first visit to the pentagon since the terror- linked attacks in southern california and paris jessica rae: state senator rick bertrand got some m mor support at a fundraiser i i sioux city. u-s senator joni ernst was on hand for the event... as bertrand's featured guest. the event took place yestday at mc-carthy and bailey's irish pub on pearl street ernst highlighted bertrand's commitment to work on the state level... as well as his support for ernst in washington. she also took the opportunity to speak on terrorism. " we actually have to have a strategy in defeating jihadists and that's what we don't have at the federal level through our administration right now." both bertrand and ernst served in the iowa senate 2010 to 2014. jessica rae: iowa governor set to make history. today will mark branstad's 7- thousand 6- hundred and 40th day in office. to celebrate the achievement...an open house will be held at the governor's formal office in later in the evening....a dinner will be held at the iowa sate fair grounds in des moinin. doors open at 6 p-m...and the at 7. tickets are 50 dollars a person. " " jessica rae: when we come back... if you plan on traveling for the holidays... i'll tell you all about the dangers of developing a common travel health concern... blood clots. stay tuned for this week's get going. non-conference wins are important leading up to conference play. alex walker explains with three games left in non- conference play, nebraska stands at 6-4. starting with an upstart rhode island team, the huskers hope to finish strong before big ten play begins. nebraska back home for this one after wednesday's blowout loss to creighton. 1st half breakaway... shavon shields to tai webster... and 1 aftetethe ft == then the rams got red hot kuran iverson back to back threes part of a 12-0 run rhode island with 11 still 1st nick fuller... nice finish... jacobson: 2 assists.. tied career high 11 points.... == 1st half magic three at the rhode island up 37-32 at the break 2nd half high 19 points gets the takeaway... and the monster jam huskers only down by 2! glynn watson had a career high 17 off the bench huskers rally from bebend and beat rhode island 70-67 arkansas pine- coming off a iowa... quarter......bridget and hits from deep...she finished with a game high 22 two minutes later.....its carleton again from distance....she buried 6 triples this afternoon.... third quarter now....cyclones rolling along....meredith burkhall gets one to fallll...iowa state up 17..... lead up to 19 now....make that 21....claire ricketts in the paint...isu dealing didis all over the court..... seanna johnsonwould get in on the perfeection....she finished with 11 points...... this one never in doubt....bryanna fernstrom a long two.....count it! iowa arkansas pine- bluf...70-41 the final. three days removed from winning the jim thorpe award, desmond king has team all american. interceptions this season, good for second in the nation. senior center austin named a third-team l american. the sioux city compiled a 16-7 two seasons as a program. the one thing missing? a league championship. open tryouts on sunday with hopes of adding some talent to their experienced roster. sioux city returns 10 all-league players from last year's team that fell in the mfa semifinals. head coach jason garnand has his guys focused on a championship and he is excited to kick off his 2016 campaign. "this year is going to be another exciting year. this is our third season in the league and the good thing is we have everybody coming back. our first two seasons, we were 16-7...and weve been close and really in this league you have to gel as a team and when you bring everyone back from the previous year...it gives you one step forward for making play their home games in south sioux city this season. the 2016 schedule will be finalized in the next few weeks. thats it for sports. have a great rest of your morning. jessica rae: christmas is right around the corner... and maybe you plan on taking a long flight, or a long drive to o sit your family... if so, there's onething you need to o keep in nd. you must continue to get up and move... doctor steven joyce explains in this week's get going segment... how to avoid getting a blood and maybe you plan on taking a long flight, or a long drive to visit your family... if so, there's one ththg you need to keep in mind. you must continue to get up and move... doctor steven joyce explains in this week's get going eegment... how to avoid getting a blood clot. "rae: tis the season for crowded airports and long traffic delays... if you are part of this group of holiday travelers... i've got one healthy remember. keep. moving. when we sit for long periods of time, we are asking for a blood clot. dr. steven joyce: "we don't have a lot of blood return from e legs up into theheart and lungs and so it forms what we call stasus in other words static you are much and therfore if blood isnt moving too much it has a blood clots." rae: now, doctor joyce says, blood clots can happen to anyone, specific group of higher chance of getting one... joyce: "especially if you are pregnant or have one of these genetic predispositions to forming blood clots that really if you are on a long plane ride or a long car ride you should get up and move at least probably every hour and a half." rae: but joyce added there is a way to help prevent this from happening to you... joyce: "bloot clots almost always when they're formed, are form in the legs, uo moving your legs, exercising your legs when you're in the car on the plane those sorts of things those arebest ways to prevent blood clots when traveling." rae: so, be sure to visit rest stops often, and take a few laps around the car, and if you're on a long flight, be sure to get up and walk up and down the aisles at least a and next week on get going... i'll explore one of the hottest items on christmas lists this year... the fit bit. i'll show you the benefits of the device.... and why everyone wants one... be sure to tune in next monday at 5 and 6 a-m for the full story. jessica rae scott: it's time now to check on your forecast... scott: good morning siouxland. here's a look at our hd radar where we've got a rain/sleet, snow mix pushing through the region. temperatures are in the 30s for most of the map.winds are from the north and northwest and they're pretty strong between 20 and 30 miles per hour. here's the planner where the high temperature rain/sleet, snow mix pushing through the region. temperatures are in the 30s for most of the map.winds are from the north and northwest and they're pretty ng between 20 and 30 miles per hour. here's the planner where the high temperature will be about 40 degrees. jessica rae: still ahead in our show.... do you want to help the less fortunate have a special holiday season? well i'll tell you all about this year's operation toy drive. plus here's what you can expect coming up on gma " " coming up .. an exclusive interview with superstar taylor swift hours after the surprise announcement to her fans about the dearuture, please help. i have no money, no job, no clothes. i feel completely helpless. but i hear good things about you, future. like i'll have hair, and friends, and books and music. since the sandy hook shooting that killed 20 students and six educators... and this weekend... a group in des moines honored the victims, while calling for change. moms, faith leaders and elected officials held an orange walk to end gun violence... it's part of a national movementnt. they say the color orange symbolizes the value of human life... and the shared commitment to reduce gun violence in the country... jessica rae: hundreds met their muslim neighbors at an open house in the islamic center of the quad cities in moline this weekend the event was open to anyone wanting to ask questions and learn more about islam. there were tours of the mosque, art, informational booths, and food. mosque leaders say, they regularly have open houses... but it was more crowded than usual. ( diana chan) " i think that it's important peole understand what the slamic faith is really about and that we're all friends. " ( rabbi jeffrey lipschultz) "here today, seeing the community faith together showing support, especially for our community that's feeling a little stress right now...makes me feel that the ability of faith in religion can bring good into this world." jessica rae: people from many different faiths came to learn and show support foror the quad cities s muslim community. jessica rae: a sioux city man is helping people across the world, by using social media steve harrington describes himself as an average joe who wants to help the world become a better place. to do that, he created a facebook page to connect those in need to people who can help. harrington says the page has helped connect countless people to resources... from all over the world. "we don't see many of them that occur in the united states just because the media doesn't pick it up, but i pick it up so i see all these things going on around the world and people needing help and so what i do is i just tell all my friends around the world, 'hey, this country is suffering right now in this particular community...this area and and they need help," said harrington. jessica rae: harrington says he has been in contact with royaltltfrom around the world, including the queen of the netherlands, williams. jessica rae: this may be the thing you see today... bear getting some columbus zoo and released this sleeping beauty. 4 pounds and measures 16 her eyes are not fully open yet. you can hear her sses and turns... next to o stuffed animal. zoo staff says she has started on all fours... she's ready for her next meal. they have been her progress around the clock. the cub was born last month to aurora, one of three adult polar bears living at the zoo. jessica rae: a las vegas homeowner got tired of delivery packages disappearing from his door-step. so he left a very special... and smelly package for the thieves ... then videotaped the whole thing. michael burton has the story: " " (eric bardo/homeowner) " one day i kind of justthought about cleaning up the poop and putting it in a box and that's what i there for four days and they finally came and got it." it all went down thursday at about 1:30pm. the surveillance camera above the front door captures the man taking the box - while the camera above the garage revealalhis accomplice. fed-up with all the recent reports of local package theft - eric burdo felt dog poop was the perfect way to tell thieves - stay ay. not only was eric trying to teach them a lesson, he also wanted to make sure new surveillance cameras were in good spots. eric's home is near charleston and nellis boulevard. he says he bought the cameras because someone broke into his car a few months after he moved in. eric put the package on his porch - sunday - but it wasn't taken ununl thursday. that's when he sat through thth surveillance veo - shocked at how young the perpetrators looked. he expected them to be much older. he says he purposely left police out of the situation. (eric bardo/homeowner) "i didn't want to call them and say somebody stole a box a poop off of my front porch. so..." (michael burton/las vegas) "after we posted the story on social media - many of our viewers said they had the same idea and never went through it. maybe burton - c cnnel 13 action news." for some gifts for their the holidays isn't but a local group...is helping several siouxland families. city christmas help 2015".... created an early christmas miracle for families in weekend. with the help of sponsors... the group made christmas possible for over 20 families. santa clause was on hand for the early christmas celebration at bob roe's restaurant in sioux city. the event organizer says the fundrasier was a huge success. " it's been a lot i have been running like crazy, i did a lot of shopping for the kids because we got sponser money we went out and spent 300 dollars on toys for kids talking to familys that need sponsors, talking to sponsers getting everybody connected its just been crazy." jessica rae: the group currently y s 515 members s . over 150 families had the opportunity to be sponsored. they hope to continue this event for many jessica rae: everyone here at abc9 are encouraging siouxland to join us in giving back this holiday season with the operation toys drive. operation toys is a program intended to spread chrismas joy to thousandsof needy children arouou siouxland. ififou want to take part...all you have to do is bring a new toy to any bomgaars location...or drop them off right here at our ab9 studio located on douglas street. all of the toys donated will remain here in souixland and will go to the salvation army to be distributed to less fortunate families. jessica rae: you still have time to enter our christmas tree contest! all you have to do is message me on facebook or email me (jrae@kcautv.com ) pictures of your best decorated tree- your pictures will air live on our newscast... the winner will receive 4 musketeers tickets and will be announced on december 22nd! now let's take a look at our latest submissions. our first submission comes to us from alisha. i love the star on top! thank you. annette... who sent us this beautiful tree. it looks like it could be in a magazine! this is the book tree that is housed inside the library at le mars community middle school. i love ones like this. very creative. this is a very special tree... they didn't leave their name... is in honor of children... who have all passed on. they say the all made by the thank you for sending in your what a special tree to have in remembrance... tree.. i like all the red! good work here is terri's i love the white tree with the red and green ornaments. very unique look. and finally... christie sent in this picture. i love this one. it's decorated like a snowman scott!!! jessica rae scott: adlib scott:another system will approach us tomorrow. we expect to see a light rain and snow combo tomorrow afteteoon. then we'l'lsee a transition over to pure snow by tuesday night into early wednesday. expect a tenth to a quarter inch of rain and less than a half inch of snow. today's forecast calls for a morning mix then we'll have cloudy skies and a high of 40. the low tonight is 28. tomorrow's high is 39 with an afternoon mix. here's the 7 day forecast. another system will approach us tomorrow. we expect to see a light rain and snow combo tomorrow afternoon. then we'll see a pure snow by tuesday night into early wednesday. expect a tenth to a quarter inch of rain and less than a half inch of snow. today's forecast calls for a morning mix then we'll have cloudy skies and a high of 40. the low tonight is 28. tomorrow's high is rain and snow combo tomorrow afternoon. then we'll see a transition over to pure snow by tuesday night into early wednesday. expect a tenth to a quarter inch of rain ananless than a half inch of snow. today's forecast calls for a morning mix then we'll have cloudy skies and a high of 40. the low tonight is 28. tomorrow's high is 39 with an afternoon mix. here's the 7 day forecast. another system will approach us tomorrow. we expect to see a light rain and snow combo tomorrow afternoon. then we'll see a transition over to pure snow by tuesday night into early wednesday. expect a tenth to a quarter inch of rain and less than a half inch of snow. today's forecast calls for a morning mix then we'll have cloudy skies and a high of 40. thlow tonight is 28. tomorrow's high is forecast. another system will approach us tomorrow. we expect to see a light rain and snow combo tomorrow afternoon. then we'll see a transition over to pure snow by tuesday night into early wednesday. expect a tenth to a quarter inch of rain and less than a half inch of snow. today's forecast calls for a good morning, amera. wicked weather slamming the western half of the country. >> tornado on the ground. >> tornadoes touching down. damaging dozens of homes. winds tossing these train car.r. anan whiteout conontions make roads hazardous. and record heat in the east. shorts to water-s-skiing on the great lakes. ted cruz shaking up the race for president. donald trump calls him a maniac. how the senator is firing back. out of control.