Hill Country Children’s Advocacy Center is ‘cowboying up for kids’

The center has already seen an increase in need by at least 23 children this year with two months left to go. Government funding, meanwhile, has been slashed. For information on the event, call (512) 756- 2607. Photo by Daniel Clifton

SMITHWICK — Two hundred and forty five children — most of them victims of physical and sexual abuse — would like to invite you to the second annual Cowboy Up for Kids this Saturday at Boulder Creek Farms.

But by the time you read this the number has probably climbed to more than 250 children. If you wait until next month, you might even learn the number has experienced an even steeper climb.

The rising numbers only show there is a need in the Highland Lakes for more aid to child crime victims, and workers at the Hill Country Children’s Advocacy Center say the benefit at Boulder Creek Farms, 7420 RR 1431 East, will help provide services to these youngsters.

The center also is reeling from a massive cut in government funding, making the need even more urgent, officials said.

“We’ll have at least a 40 percent increase in the number of children we help this year compared to last year,” said Deborah Keith, the center’s executive director.

The center helped 221 children and their non-offending family members last year.

“We’re probably close to 250 right now,” Keith said. “And we still have two months to go.”

Doris Graeter from the center added that the next two months usually are the busiest for caseworkers.

Cowboy Up for Kids is the organization’s main fundraiser. The event runs 6-10 p.m.

The center is facing a challenge this year because the federal grant the organization depended on to fund salaries for staff members working directly with the child victims was slashed in Washington, D.C.

“We lost $82,000 when that grant was cut,” Keith said.

The fundraiser features plenty of good food, entertainment and several opportunities to go home with something new, officials said.

Two big ticket raffle items include a 46-inch flat-screen TV and a 1966 Winchester Centennial .30-30-caliber rifle.

A few of the items up for bid in the live auction include a Hill Country ranch deer hunt and processing package. For those looking for a taste of the exotic on Texas’ most famous ranch, they can bid on a King Ranch nilgai hunt.

The nilgai is an exotic antelope that is found in India and Pakistan. Many were transported to Texas for exotic game ranches. 

The winning bidder can also consider a cull-buck hunt on the ranch instead. And considering the reputation of King Ranch white-tails, a cull from this massive property would probably earn trophy status most anywhere else.

Music lovers might consider bidding on a Kona cutaway acoustic guitar signed by Kinky Friedman and Steve Fromholtz.

Graeter said there are also several items on the silent auction table.

The night includes a steak dinner provided by Eddie Eppler Chuck Wagon Productions. K.R. Wood & His Cowboy Band will provide music for some boot scooting.

“We’ll also have blackjack,” Graeter said. “It’s going to be a great evening.”

All the proceeds go for a great cause, she added — children in need.

The center provides services for victims in Blanco, Burnet, Lampasas, Llano, Mason, Mills and San Saba counties.

One service includes specially trained investigators who conduct interviews of children who have been victims of sexual or physical abuse. The interviews are taped and are then used by law enforcement investigators. In the past, a child might have undergone several interviews during the initial investigation and ensuing court case — thus reliving the traumatic experience over and over again.

The center also offers training for professionals and volunteers.

One of the other tenets of the organization is to increase public awareness of crimes against children.

The center also presents a unique child-abuse prevention program called “Yello Dyno” to students in kindergarten through fifth grades. Officials said it’s a research-based program that teaches children about child predators, bullies and drug pushers.

Since the center’s creation in 1993, the demand for its services has increased. Keith said part of that has to do with the increase in population.

When the center opened its doors there were about 55,000 people living in the seven counties — now that number has increased to more than 100,000.

Awareness of crimes against children has also probably added to the number of victims, Graeter said.

With the population continuing to grow and awareness still increasing, center staff said the number of children who come through their door will also climb.

“It’s unfortunate,” Graeter said.

But federal funding has failed to keep up with the need. So the center’s staff, volunteers and board members are turning to the people who continue to step up for children — the local communities.

Tickets for the event are $100 per person. Event sponsorships are also available at several levels. For more information on “Cowboy Up for Kids” or the HCCAC, call (512) 756-2607.

“This is a very important night for us, especially since we lost that grant,” Keith said. “But it’s even more important for the children we serve.”

daniel@thepicayune.com