Angel tree brings Christmas to underprivileged
From left, Santa, Alana Smith, Alisha Lee, Jody Miller, Marian Ernest, Alex Bible and Doug Tharp all were full of the holiday spirit during the Shotgun Sports Bar and Grill’s Angel Tree pick up on Tuesday afternoon at the Bandera Fire Station. BULLETIN
Alisha Lee, bartender of the Shotgun Sports Bar and Grill, and her patrons raised almost $2,000 to sponsor underprivileged children on an Angel Tree. The Shotgun group collaborated with the Ridin’ the River Cowboy Fellowship to help 18 children and 25 individuals have a better Christmas.
Lee started right after Thanksgiving with the project. Bar patrons were encouraged to purchase holiday ornaments which would qualify them for drink or food discounts.
The money collected from the sale of the ornaments would go to an Angel Tree project for the children and adults of Bandera County.
“I did this at a previous job. I figured we could do it here; kids should never go without Christmas presents,” Lee stated.
Marian Ernest from the Ridin’ the River Care Team said, “We are really grateful to BEC for awarding us a grant. We have been collecting coats, and Christmas presents. The Shotgun Sports Bar and Grill donated two dozen sherpa hoodies for us to distribute to needy members of our church. We are very thankful for everyone’s generosity.”
“The Shotgun’s patrons were really great participating in this,” commented Lee.
The true holiday spirit was evident as family members picked up bags of toys and essentials at the Bandera Fire Station on Tuesday afternoon. The Boys and Girls Clubs also provided holiday food for the families.
Santa said he would forgo his sleigh to drive the Ban dera Fire Truck to deliver the rest of the toys to those families who could not get into town. Smith expressed her gratitude for the participation of the Bandera Fire Department.
Shotgun owner Alana Smith stated, “We are honored to help 18 kids and 25 individuals from Ridin’ the River. We are blessed to have Alisha who took charge of this and made it a success.”
As the sun sunk into the West, Santa waved broadly to adults in cars on Main Street. Some stopped and chatted while others honked or just waved back. Bandera was full of holiday spirit, and it showed.