3rd Annual 'Wilco Gives Red Shield Roundup' Benefiting Williamson County Families Scheduled

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — The 3rd Annual Wilco Gives Red Shield Roundup benefiting families at risk of homelessness has been scheduled for next month, county officials said.

Scheduled Sept. 14, the event at Reunion Ranch benefits the Salvation Army Williamson County Service Center. Scheduled to emcee the event is at CBS Austin chief meteorologist Chikage Windler, and will include dinner, music and dancing featuring main stream country music, Texas Country and a little rock-n-roll music by One Ton Country.

Tickets are available to purchase through The Salvation Army.

Opened in 2014, the service center Georgetown at 1930 S. Austin Ave. provides financial assistance, food and clothing to Williamson County families who are living in the first stages of financial crisis. The center’s goal is to prevent homelessness by helping families move from crisis to self-sufficiency, according to officials. The Salvation Army also supports the community through a summer camp for kids, nursing home ministry, spiritual support, and community outreach to a disadvantaged neighborhood, officials added.

The center collaborates with other agencies and churches throughout Williamson County to ensure that needs are met appropriately and to avoid duplication of services.

“The Salvation Army makes a difference right here at home and has the greatest return on investment of any philanthropic organization I know,” Jay Warren, managing partner for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Texas Realty, said. “The money we are raising through this event stays here in Williamson County. It’s going to help people who are trying, people who are working, people who are doing the best they can and who don’t need a hand out but a hand up.”

In addition to assistance provided, a dedicated group of volunteers operates The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services canteen (mobile kitchen) out of Williamson County, responding when disaster strikes, officials noted. This team provided more than 3,000 hours of service in disasters around the region in the past year, providing food, drinks and emotional and spiritual support to first responders and survivors in disasters such as the floods in southeast Texas and Baton Rouge, the tornadoes in Garland, and local disasters including a fire and plane crash.

To purchase tickets to the event and for more information, visit The Salvation Army’s website at SalvationArmyAustin.org, email Wilco@uss.salvationarmy.org, or call 512-634-5943.

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