Santa’s Helpers encourage holiday happiness

  • Abby Villareal observed as Court Appointed Special Advocates Administrative Assistant Cayley Willimon received several rolls of wrapping paper from Burnet County Assistant Attorney Colleen Davis during the Burnet County Santa Helper's donation drive Dec. 16 in Burnet at the Texas AgriLife Extension.
    Abby Villareal observed as Court Appointed Special Advocates Administrative Assistant Cayley Willimon received several rolls of wrapping paper from Burnet County Assistant Attorney Colleen Davis during the Burnet County Santa Helper's donation drive Dec. 16 in Burnet at the Texas AgriLife Extension.
  • Vicinta Stafford, Mason Stafford, Victoria Davis, Colleen Davis, Lisa Whitehead, Julie Torrez, Jay Villareal, Abby Villareal, Gracie Villareal, Howard Davis, Cayley Willimon, Caleb Carrasco and Sydney Carrasco gathered for the Burnet County Santa Helper's donation drive Dec. 16 in Burnet at the Texas AgriLife Extension. Photos by Raymond V. Whelan/The Highlander
    Vicinta Stafford, Mason Stafford, Victoria Davis, Colleen Davis, Lisa Whitehead, Julie Torrez, Jay Villareal, Abby Villareal, Gracie Villareal, Howard Davis, Cayley Willimon, Caleb Carrasco and Sydney Carrasco gathered for the Burnet County Santa Helper's donation drive Dec. 16 in Burnet at the Texas AgriLife Extension. Photos by Raymond V. Whelan/The Highlander
  • Burnet County Clerk Julie Torrez gazed to her right as Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Lisa Whitehead offered direction during the Burnet County Santa Helper's donation drive Dec. 16, in Burnet at the Texas AgriLife Extension.
    Burnet County Clerk Julie Torrez gazed to her right as Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Lisa Whitehead offered direction during the Burnet County Santa Helper's donation drive Dec. 16, in Burnet at the Texas AgriLife Extension.
  • Burnet resident Sydney Carrasco inserted a sketch book into a bag full of other goodies Dec. 16 in Burnet at the Texas AgriLife Extension.
    Burnet resident Sydney Carrasco inserted a sketch book into a bag full of other goodies Dec. 16 in Burnet at the Texas AgriLife Extension.
  • Pedernales Electric Cooperative Systems Administrator Howard Davis assembled toys for donation to needy families Dec. 16 in Burnet at the Texas AgriLife Extension.
    Pedernales Electric Cooperative Systems Administrator Howard Davis assembled toys for donation to needy families Dec. 16 in Burnet at the Texas AgriLife Extension.

Christmas comes only once each year, and when it does, more than a few local families need a little help making sure the holiday is nice for their children.

Burnet County Santa’s Helpers have assisted hundreds of those needy folks during the past four years.

Again, the Helpers recently dispersed books, decorations, dolls, games and many other articles as gifts for kiddos to enjoy during Christmas.

They distributed more than 150 bags full of items to help 77 families bring happiness to more than 200 youngsters.

As they gathered Dec. 16 in Burnet at the Texas AgriLife Extension between Vandeveer and Wood streets, Burnet County Clerk Vicinta Stafford and several volunteers directed and supported the distribution.

“Every child deserves to have a Merry Christmas,” Stafford said. “What we do ensures we do our part to help them.”

Gifts for the Helpers were delivered through the First State Bank of Burnet, the Herman Brown Free Library and anonymous donors.

Volunteer helpers included Caleb and Sydney Carrasco; Burnet County Assistant Attorney Colleen Davis; her husband Howard, the Pedernales Electric Cooperative systems administrator; her daughter, Burnet High School sophomore Victoria; Vicinta Stafford’s son, Burnet Middle School sixth-grader Mason Stafford; Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Lisa Whitehead and her chief clerk, Julie Torrez; Gracie Villareal, her daughter, Abby, and her son, Jay; and Court Appointed Special Advocates Administrative Assistant Cayley Willimon.

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