Burnet County Santa’s Helpers filling Christmas baskets

DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

BURNET — For the past two years during Christmas on the Square in Burnet, the Burnet County Santa’s Helpers held a cake walk to raise money to purchase gifts for area youth in need. But the walks haven’t exactly brought in a windfall of donations for the nonprofit organization.

“So we decided to try something different and new for us,” said Vickie Seily, one of the Santa’s Helpers. “We asked county employees to make gift baskets, and then we’d raffle them off during Christmas on the Square.”

But Seily and other Santa’s Helpers decided to open up the project beyond county employees.

“What we’re hoping is area businesses and even individuals want to make baskets and donate them for Burnet County Santa’s Helpers,” Seily said. “We really want to reach out to as many people as we can to see if they want to participate.”

Burnet County Santa’s Helpers started through the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office, but volunteers come from all across the county to assist. The concept is similar to other children’s Christmas gift programs by trying to make sure youth who, through no fault of their own, might not get a present on Christmas morning. Volunteers raise money throughout the year to meet the growing need.

Seily said Burnet County Santa’s Helpers fills in where it can.

“If a child doesn’t qualify for one of the other programs or isn’t registered with it, that’s where we come in,” she said. “We serve all of Burnet County. We know there are programs in the Marble Falls and Granite Shoals areas, so we try to cover the areas they may not be able to reach.”

And the various organizations cross-check names to eliminate or reduce the possibility of people taking advantage of another’s generosity.

At the heart of it, though, is trying to make sure every child in Burnet County wakes up Christmas morning with gifts under the tree.

The Burnet County Santa’s Helpers gift basket project even makes it fun for the participants. The concept is simple: Grab a basket (or any container); load it with goodies, gifts or other items; decorate it; and then drop it off at the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office on or before Dec. 1. The sheriff’s office is located at 1601 Polk St. (Texas 29) in Burnet.

Many people stick with a particular theme for their baskets such as “Movie Night,” which could feature a couple of DVDs, popcorn, blankets and related items. You can even create one for coffee lovers, chocolate lovers, handymen or women, anglers, outdoorsy types, book lovers … and the list goes on.

You could also turn this into a great office endeavor with everyone chipping in to help. Or families can use this as a great way to teach their children about the importance of giving. The kids can help suggest a theme, pick out items and help decorate it.

“We want people to have fun with it,” Seily said. “The idea is to come up with a basket that you think people would want to give as a Christmas gift or get themselves.”

The prize giveaway is Dec. 13 during Christmas on the Square. Tickets are $5 each or $20 for five. At this cost, the basket should have a minimal value of $25.

Remember, the deadline for drop-off is Dec. 1.

The organization is also looking to hold its annual toy run Dec. 6. Motorcyclists can donate a toy or money to participate. The group will head across Burnet County, making stops at several fire departments to pick up more toys and donations.

Call Seily or Santa’s Helper Donna Fritsch at the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office at (512) 756-8080 for more information on the basket program or the toy run. You can also check out the Santa’s Helpers Facebook page for updates.

daniel@thepicayune.com