If you’re looking to brighten the holidays for a child or family this season, I have the total package for you: Williamson County’s Brown Santa program.
Although not new to Wilco, this year our sheriff’s office is restructuring Brown Santa to ensure it’s bigger, better and reaches every deserving family they can find.
The program annually aids approximately 600 to 800 families living outside the geographical limits of any town or city within the county that does not already provide a similar program.
Five individuals serve on the Brown Santa Board and approximately 10 are on the committee, and all are employees of the sheriff’s office. The program is a 501(c)3 nonprofit.
The board’s goal is to fulfill 100% of any family’s request during the holiday season for things like toys, clothes and books suitable for children from birth to high school ages. All donations must be unwrapped.
Williamson County employees and citizens in the community are also welcomed as volunteers. So, if you’re itching for something to do right now, why not Brown Santa?
Donations aren’t accepted just during the holidays. The program collects items and cash donations throughout the year. So, if you get the holiday spirit in July or August, just remember Brown Santa.
Community events are also held to collect donations. This past Halloween, Brown Santa sponsored its first family-friendly “Trunk or Treat” event outside the sheriff's office in Georgetown on Oct 30, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
They recruited 22 sponsors who decorated their vehicles and filled them with candy. Then the surrounding streets were closed to traffic so kids could safely trick or treat.
The trunk-or-treat was a huge success attended by over 500 people. Plans include adding activities and sponsors to future events.
Look for more fundraisers like a golf tournament on March 28, and the Brown Santa Barbecue Cook-Off being planned for 2022 with local Veterans of Foreign Wars groups.