Nonprofit gives toys in spirit of holiday season
For the past 28 years, the Cowboy Santas program has provided toys, games and books at no cost to thousands of Tarrant County children whose families struggle financially. The goal is to help make the holidays brighter for those in need while helping to alleviate some of the financial stress affecting these families.
The program started at several Fort Worth community centers and has grown to include all of Tarrant County. Today, Cowboy Santas is headquartered in the city of Fort Worth Parks and Community Services Department and has become a yuletide tradition. Employees from all city and county departments, as well as volunteers from area businesses and community groups, collect toys, money and other items throughout the year to be distributed at holiday parties for parents registered in the program.
Cowboy Santas Kick-Off Gala, sponsored by the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, is slated for Nov. 24 and Cowboy Santas volunteers will participate once again in the city’s annual Parade of Lights on Nov. 27.
“The program was a way for the city to come together as one for gift giving for those truly in need,” said Jeff Bryan, a veteran Fort Worth police officer and one of Cowboy Santas original organizers. “It’s stayed together all these years because of the dedication of our volunteers who make great personal sacrifices during the holidays to capture the needs and wishes of a needy child.”
It comes as no surprise to Bryan and other volunteers that this year, because of the recession, demand for the program will reach an all-time high. In 2008, Cowboy Santas served more than 4,000 families, providing gifts for more than 11,600 children. The number of children expected to be served this holiday season is between 12,000 and 15,000, according to Sharon Armstrong, the organization’s president.
“People are having a tougher time today just providing for the basics,” said Armstrong. “Cowboy Santas makes their life just a little bit easier. It allows them to have Christmas for their children. It’s successful because of the generosity of people working together to provide for our children.”
Rosie Moncrief, Cowboy Santas honorary chair, has participated in the program for the past six years and also credits the program’s success to its volunteers.
“There is tremendous support from businesses, individuals and city employees who are extremely dedicated and committed to helping our children have a better Christmas,” Moncrief said. “Without them and without this program there would be no Christmas for thousands of children.”
Registration for the program, which began Oct. 22, has specific guidelines, Bryan said, to ensure qualifications are met and to make sure families truly in need are helped. Children must be between birth and 12 years of age, live in Tarrant County and fall within the 150 percentile of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. Families can register at nine area Community Action Partner offices and are required to bring proof of residence, income information and children’s Social Security cards.
“The concept is different from the traditional giveaway program where kids stand in line waiting for Santa to hand them an unwrapped present,” Bryan said. “Cowboy Santas gives dignity back to the parents. Gifts are age and gender appropriate and are wrapped, and parents take them home so that families can have Christmas when they want, whether Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. To me, that’s what Christmas is all about – families gathered together, opening presents together.”
Toys and items collected year-round from Cowboy Santas drives have been stored in warehouses the past few years in the organization’s temporary home, located in the Tindall Square building on Downtown’s eastern edge. The three-story building was recently bought by XTO Energy Inc. forcing the nonprofit to buy or build a facility by 2011. A capital campaign will kick off in 2010, Armstrong said.
Moncrief said she has faith that a new home will be found in time for the organization.
“We’ll reach out to the community and I feel certain we’ll raise the funds needed or that someone will step up and make a donation of a warehouse or building,” Moncrief said.
“Fort Worth has the sense of community and compassion like no other place on the planet,” she said. “No one here wants to see a child not experience the joy and magic of Christmas. I never want to lose the real meaning of Christmas, but children should know the magic of it. They are entitled to that. When they wake up on Christmas morning and see those special gifts left just for them, they know how special and loved they are.”
