Helping Hands Team Roping fundraiser for food pantries aims to pull in new crowd
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
LLANO — When Adam Garcia noted the number of food pantries in Llano County (five) and the growing need for them, he decided to do something to support the facilities.
But he wanted to organize an event that would bring in a different group of people who might not hit the links on a regular basis or host fancy dinners.
So he came up with a team-roping fundraiser.
“I started working on this about three months ago,” said Garcia, who owns AG Leather Art in Kingsland. “But we’re pulling together two team ropings, music and lots of other things.”
The first AG Leather Helping Hands Team Roping is Nov. 22-23 at the Llano Event Center, 2200 RR 152. Admission is free for the general public, but Garcia hopes people will donate non-perishable food items or cash for the local food pantries.
“We have five food pantries in Llano County,” he said. “There are two here in Kingsland, one in Buchanan Dam, one in Tow and another big one in Llano. They all need help, so we’ll split the money and food donations from the event among the five food pantries.”
The team roping highlights the event with the competitions starting at 9:30 a.m. both days. But there also will be arts and crafts available for sale, vendors and live music. The arts and crafts booths will open at 10 a.m. both days.
On Saturday, Justin and the Back Row Sinners will perform at 6:30 p.m. On Sunday, Allen Ray and Southern Comfort take the stage at 6:30 p.m.
The team ropers are competing for high-point winner custom saddles. First place gets a pair of custom-fit boots valued at $2,500; second place gets a Tres Rios Silver buckle valued at $1,500; third place gets tooled breast collars valued at $1,000; fourth place gets tooled head stalls valued at $750; and fifth place gets tooled spur straps valued at $250. The payouts are based on 100 entered teams.
“With so many food pantries in Llano County, I just wanted to do something to help them out so they can help all the people who depend on them,” Garcia said. “So I hope people come out, enjoy the team roping and bring something to donate.”
Call Garcia at (325) 248-3955 for more information.
daniel@thepicayune.com