Roundup

EDITORIAL

Christmas-time is of course meant to be spent with families but some of the most rewarding times you may spend this Christmas may be to leave your family at home for a few hours while you work to help others. Better yet. Bring your family along to help Rockdale’s Christmas Roundup, which will need scores of volunteers in upcoming weeks as it spreads Christmas cheer to those in need.

Roundup began 51 years ago when men of First Christian Church got together and provided toys for 18 Rockdale families, totaling 99 children.

Also in those Johnson Administration years, gift boxes were fruit, nuts, candies and some clothing. It turned out to be the start of something big.

Within a few years, other churches had joined in. The effort grew and grew and evolved into Roundup which has become as big a Christmas tradition in Rockdale as the Big Santa in Glenda Wiley’s garage.

Roundup now routinely serves about 300 families with 1,000 family members. And that’s in addition to other efforts in our community and county, such as Brown Santa, Thorndale Cares and the individual drives from churches and organizations.

How does it happen? A lot of volunteer work. Friday is the deadline to nominate individuals and/or families to be served by 2018 Roundup. Here’s how you can help.

The Knights of Columbus Hall on US 79 will be open on Sunday, Dec. 16, from 4-7 p.m. to accept donations of food and toys. Volunteers are needed to set up the facility for sorting and distribution.

On Monday Dec. 17, the KC Hall will open at 9 a.m. for volunteers to help fill boxes for delivery. Persons who have designated that they want to pick up their Christmas Roundup boxes will be able to do so from 5-7 p.m. on Monday evening, Dec. 17.

Delivery date for food and gifts will be Tuesday, Dec. 19, beginning at 9 a.m.

Families who elected to pick up their boxes and did not do so on Monday may come to the KC Hall after 9 a.m. on that date to receive their boxes.

Volunteers are needed all days, especially on Dec. 19 to help with delivery.

It’s a huge job and it’s very labor intensive. At times the entire KC Hall will be full of boxes, food toys and lots of people scurrying around. They’re busy, but they’re happy. Christmas Roundup just affects people that way.

Roundup also needs that other kind of support. Money can be deposited in the Roundup account at Citizens National Bank or sent to PO Box 766, Rockdale, TX 76567.

For any questions call Allen Sanders at 512-446-3351 or email asanders@rockdaleisd.net. You won’t get paid, but you’ll get rewarded.—M.B.