Small businesses chip in to grant holiday wishes to families in need
Several Pflugerville and other area businesses helped alleviate financial worries for eight Central Texas families this recent holiday season by granting their wishes.
The families received gifts, gift cards and donations to help them over the Christmas holiday.
The Pflugerville businesses that took part were Bodies by Design, Brotherton's Black Iron Barbecue, Opal Movement Therapy and Team Rabadi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Muay Thai. Also taking part were Freddy's Make Ready & Home Remodel and, Summit Travel & Tours in Round Rock, and Keller Williams Realty in Austin.
The seven businesses gave their donations to the Communities in Schools of Central Texas' Care Coordination program, which finds needy families outside of the reach of school programs and gives them resources to help achieve their goals. During the holidays, gifts and donations to families are from businesses in the community.
A mother in one of the families being helped said the donation helps relieve the stress of dealing with financial hardships. She said she was able to save money that she will use to pay other important matters, and that her children were very thankful for the gifts and having the opportunity to submit their wish-list.
"Being a single mother on a budget, the (donations) helped in getting exactly what the children wanted for Christmas," said the mom, who asked to not be identified.
Karin Florez, a program coordinator with Communities in Schools, said the businesses' donations provided families with basic needs such as groceries, clothing, hygiene items and school supplies.
"We work with families that have some of the highest needs in our community," Florez said. "These are families that not only have needs but they're incredibly motivated. The fact that they see members in their community help them in this journey, it is really important to the families.
Additionally, the seven businesses raised approximately $12,000 for Communities in Schools to help the Central Texas families it serves.
For the ninth year in a row, Bodies by Design provided all the wish list items for the families the gym adopted. Each year, gym leaders set up a whiteboard with the wishes and clients pick an item they want to donate.
Fred Sassani, team leader, said it is a joy to see the community come together to help others. He said he hopes it creates a ripple effect, where those who have been helped will go on to help others.
"We have a pretty amazing community, and they have really big hearts," Sassani said. "Any time we present any kind of opportunity to them to help outside they gym and make some sort of impact on somebody else's life, they are so ready to do it."
More: John Brotherton of Brotherton's Black Iron Barbecue in Pflugerville dies
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Small businesses help grant holiday wishes to families in need
